Comparative study between connective tissue massage and sham massage impact on pain, lumbar mobility and quality of life in chronic non-specific low back pain

Nonspecific low back pain refers to pain that cannot be attributed to any recognizable or specific pathology and is commonly observed in the general population, especially among females. It is considered a major public health concern, with nearly 70 to 85 percent of individuals experiencing it at some point in life. Clinical features typically include stiffness, restriction of spinal movements, and sharp or shooting pain. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of connective tissue massage and sham massage on pain reduction, lumbar mobility, and quality of life in adults aged between 18 and 50 years with chronic nonspecific low back pain. A total of twenty-four participants clinically diagnosed with the condition were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. One group received connective tissue massage combined with conservative treatment, while the other group received sham massage along with the same conservative treatment. Both interventions were administered over three weeks with a frequency of five sessions per week, making a total of fifteen sessions. Outcomes were measured using pain intensity, lumbar mobility, and quality of life before and after the intervention, with reassessment one month after the completion of the sessions. The findings revealed that participants who received connective tissue massage in combination with physiotherapy exercises demonstrated greater improvements compared to those who received sham massage with physiotherapy exercises. This improvement was observed in terms of pain reduction, enhancement of lumbar mobility, and better quality of life. In conclusion, connective tissue massage when combined with physiotherapy exercise is more effective than sham massage with physiotherapy exercise in managing chronic non specific low back pain. This approach can therefore be considered a beneficial treatment strategy to reduce pain, restore spinal function, and improve overall well-being in affected individuals.