The standard of care for early onset of neck and back pain is advice to stay active. In this report, researchers in Sweden compare this standard of care with naprapathic care for neck and back pain.
Naprapathic uses manual therapy such as joint mobilization and manipulation, massage, and stretching. The goal is to treat the muscular and skeletal systems. The focus is on shortened tissues around the spine and joints causing pain and disability.
Two groups of patients were compared. The first (Index) group received six naprapathic treatments over a period of six weeks. Advice on physical activity, prevention, and ergonomics was also given to these patients. Ergonomics is a way to reduce fatigue and improve work performance. This is done by improving the design of the workplace.
The second group was the control group. They were given advice based on studies. The studies were evidence-based also known as best practice. The care and support offered was to empower the patient. Understanding the importance of keeping active and living as normally as possible at work and play is the strategy. Advice on exercises and general information for pain control and coping were added.
Pain and disability were used as the main measures of results. The patients were also asked to rate their perceived recovery (better, much better, worse, much worse, same). The authors report that the Index group improved the most in all areas.
After 12 weeks, more patients in the Index group said they were very much improved compared to the control group. Patients in the control group did improve, just not as much. Decrease in pain and improved function were still present in the Index group at the end of the follow-up period.
The authors suggest that combined manual therapy made it possible for patients in the Index group to do more physical activity. They conclude that naprapathic care for back and neck pain improves the success rate of recovery. Naprapathic may be an acceptable option for treatment for people with this type of problem.