Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Conditions
Keywords
Myofascial pain, Trigger points
Brief summary
The aim of the study is to use diagnostic ultrasound to compare the thickness of soft tissues in the low back in a group of patients with chronic low back pain treated with massage to a control group of non-treated patients. It is hypothesized that on average, soft tissue thickness in the lumbar region will change in the group receiving massage compared to the control group.
Detailed description
A specialized form of massage designed to reduce fascial restrictions will be compared to a no-treatment control group based on a change in thickness of the lumbodorsal fascia as determined by ultrasound imaging.
Interventions
PROCEDURESpecific massage for fascial release
Patient will receive a 3 minute massage to reduce restrictions in the lumbodorsal fascia.
OTHERQuiet non-instructed rest for 3 minutes
Patient will lay quietly without any instructions on how to relax.
Sponsors
Anglo-European College of Chiropractic
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* History of chronic low back pain far at least 3 months * Able to read and write English * Between 18-64 years of age
Exclusion criteria
* Prior lumbar surgery * Infected or broken skin over the lumbodorsal fascia * Major structural spinal deformity * Specific cause of low back pain, such as tumor, infection, fracture * Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications * Pregnancy * Litigation for low back pain * Systemic infection
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Thickness of lumbodorsal fascia determined by ultrasound imaging | An average of 5 minutes from the the end of first treatment |
Contacts
Primary ContactHugh Gemmell, DC, EdD
Backup ContactJane Cook, DC, MSc
Outcome results
None listed