Study: Effects of massage on neck pain

Don't tell me you've never experienced neck pain, because I'm pretty sure that you, like me, work a lot on the computer. Are you smiling? So you find yourself in this situation. In the modern world we live in, we are becoming more and more dependent on technology. We are forced to use computers for many hours of the day, which also means discomfort and even health problems. Not infrequently I have felt pressure in the neck area. Even a burning sensation that I couldn't easily control. Of course, we can't always have a masseur on call, but a few massage techniques can help us in the moment. But the massage was best experienced in a professional center. There, your only concern is to leave yourself in the hands of the specialist who knows best what you need.

Chronic neck pain is a widespread problem and is most commonly caused by car accidents, awkward sleeping positions, computer work and ageing. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often fail to relieve the pain. So patients turn to non-drug solutions such as massage therapy and chiropractic care.

Repeated massage sessions help reduce the intensity and dysfunction of neck pain

A 2014 study (University of Washington) compared different doses of massage applied to a group of 228 patients with chronic neck pain without an obvious cause. It was found that after four weeks of treatment, repeated massages of 60 minutes/week were significantly more effective than smaller or shorter sessions in reducing pain intensity and neck dysfunction.

Study: Effects of massage on neck pain

Aim of the study

This study was designed to evaluate the optimal dose of massage for people with chronic neck pain.

Previous studies have shown the benefits of regular massage therapy for back and neck pain. But it wasn't known how long treatment sessions should last and how frequently they should be applied for patients to see results. Researchers at the Seattle Group Health Research Institute studied 228 patients with persistent neck pain. They were randomly assigned to six groups. Treatment groups included 30-minute massages (2-3 times a week) and 60-minute massages (1-3 times a week). And a control group received no treatment.

The study authors (see footnote) noted that their study specifically included massage therapists. Massage done incorrectly could cause muscle spasms and discomfort. Massage therapists (and chiropractors) are trained to notice these reactions, which the average person getting a massage may not always see.

Exempted persons from study

We excluded people whose neck pain had an identifiable pathologic cause (e.g. vertebral fracture, cancer metastatic), were complex (e.g. cervical radiculopathy, recent car accident) or were too mild. Also excluded were individuals with potential contraindications to massage (e.g., hypersensitivity to touch), any massage in the past 3 months, massage for neck pain in the past year, or inability to give informed consent or speak English. Finally, people with medical problems related to neck or back pain were excluded.

What the authors concluded

The study results show that the beneficial effects of massage treatments for chronic non-specific neck pain increase with dose. Massages of 30 minutes, applied 2 or 3 times a week, failed to provide significant benefits. While the beneficial effects of 60-minute massages increased with dose. And they were particularly evident for those who were massaged 2 or 3 times a week.

Massage therapy can reduce chronic neck pain when done by a professional for the right duration. So the results suggest that 60-minute sessions are better than 30-minute sessions. Also, patients should receive treatment several times a week to experience the best results. Changes in the use of sore throat medications or visits to clinicians could not explain these findings. In addition, few adverse events were present, most of which were mild.

Study: Effects of massage on neck pain: Relevance for public health

This study was designed to find out the best massage dose for chronic sore throat. So that future clinical trials include a dose that would be considered optimal.

I'm sure you'll agree that we need to call in the specialists quite often. Whenever you get out of your comfort zone and your body gives you certain signals, turn to massage. Have you tried one? If so, what effects has it had on you? Share your experience with us!

Source:

http://www.annfammed.org/content/12/2/112.full

Study authors: Karen J Sherman, Andrea J Cook, Janet R Kahn, René J Hawkes, Robert D Wellman & Daniel C Cherkin