The Effect of Short Term Massage on Plantar Pressure During Walking and Pain Intensity ‎in Women with Low Back Pain Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is one type of low back pain, which can cause muscle spasm, change in walking and ultimately lead to disability and loss of quality of life in an individual. Massage is one of the effective interventions to reduce pain in patients with back pain and hernia. Therefore, in this study, the effect of acute massage on pain relief and subsequent changes in plantar pressure in each session was investigated.

In this study, 14 women with lumbar disc herniation ranging from 35 to 45 years with a BMI of 25 to 30, received 5 sessions of massage, and at the end of each session, the distribution of foot pressure and pain intensity were evaluated.

The results showed a significant decrease in pain after 5 sessions of massage (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference between massage sessions (p<0.05). The amount of pain reduction was higher in first sessions. Foot pressure during walking after five sessions of massage had a significant improvement only in the right foot (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between massage sessions (p<0.05).

A massage session can improve pain relief in patients with low back pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation, but has no significant effect on plantar pressure. However, 5 sessions of massage can probably neutralize the compensatory mechanism created to prevent pain.