Applied Evidence

Nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic pain: What works?

J Fam Pract. 2018 August;67(8):474-477,480-483

From The Journal of Family Practice | 2018;67(8):474-477,480-483.

References

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SMT is most often studied for the management of spinal pain. The authors of a 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 RCTs (n=1711) found moderate-quality evidence that SMT improves pain and function in chronic LBP at up to 6 weeks of follow-up.²⁹ A 2017 systematic review performed for an ACP clinical practice guideline on the management of LBP found low-quality evidence of improvement in pain with SMT compared with an inactive treatment, although the magnitude of benefit was small.⁵ The authors also noted moderate-quality evidence that the benefits of SMT are comparable to other active treatments.⁵

Massage therapy is commonly used for a variety of pain conditions, but is most studied for LBP. A 2017 systematic review found low-quality evidence of short-term pain relief with massage therapy compared with other active interventions, although the effects were small.⁵ A 2015 Cochrane review of 25 RCTs (n=3096) found low-quality evidence of benefit for massage in chronic LBP when compared with both active and inactive controls.³⁰

There was a small functional difference when compared with inactive controls. This review highlights the likely short-lived benefit of massage therapy. Although some studies have hinted at longer-term relief with massage therapy, the majority of the literature suggests the benefit is limited to immediate and short-term relief. Massage therapy is safe, although patients with central sensitization should be cautioned that more aggressive massage treatments may cause a flare of myofascial pain.

Acupuncture is one element of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). And while the holistic system of TCM also includes herbal medicine, nutrition, meditative practices, and movement, acupuncture is often practiced as an independent therapy. In the United States, licensed acupuncturists and physicians provide the therapy. Training and licensing laws vary by state, as does insurance coverage.

A 2016 meta-analysis found that acupuncture improved both pain and functional outcome measures when compared with either no treatment or sham control.

Pain is the most common reason that people in the United States seek acupuncture therapy. It is not surprising then that the majority of research surrounding acupuncture involves its use for pain conditions. Chou et al reviewed acupuncture for chronic LBP in 2017 (32 trials; n=5931).⁵ Acupuncture improved both pain and function compared to inactive controls. In addition, 3 trials compared acupuncture to standard medications and found acupuncture to be superior at providing pain relief.

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