2003•Clinical Journal of PainRequires access

Manual Therapies for Pain Control: Chiropractic and Massage

Eckart Ernst

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of chiropractic and massage therapy for the reduction of any type of pain. METHODS: Systematic reviews of chiropractic and massage as a means of pain control were located and evaluated. RESULTS: Six systematic reviews were found, 4 of chiropractic and 2 of massage therapy. Promising evidence emerged from some of these reviews but neither for chiropractic nor for massage was there fully convincing evidence for effectiveness in controlling musculoskeletal or other pain. DISCUSSION: The notion that chiropractic or massage are effective interventions for pain control has not been demonstrated convincingly through rigorous clinical trials.

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Key concepts: Chiropractic, Massage, Medicine, Physical therapy, Manual therapy, Alternative medicine, Clinical trial, Psychological intervention