Publications

Lower back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent, and while non-pharmacological treatments exist such as heat or massage, they are rarely combined in a convenient manner. We examined the impact of two different heated massage protocols delivered from an automotive seat on LBP within typical commute times.

Seventeen adults (eight females) with chronic, non-specific LBP (~6/10 initial back pain) evaluated a heated effleurage or heated tapotement massage—in a randomized order—applied to the lower back, upper thighs, and gluteal region while seated. Each visit included a 20 min control followed by a 20 min heated massage (30 min rest between), with thermal and subjective measurements assessed throughout. Before and after each 20 min session, viscoelastic properties of participants’ lower back muscles were assessed with a myotonometer.

Heated massage increased skin temperature, thermal sensation and comfort vs. control (p ≤ 0.039). Both heated massage conditions reduced LBP at 10- and 20 min and reduced subjective tightness at 20 min (p ≤ 0.023). Tapotement produced an earlier reduction in tightness at 10 min and had a greater reduction than effleurage at 20 min (p ≤ 0.026). Increased tissue elasticity was observed in the heated tapotement condition (p ≤ 0.031). Seat-based heated massage offers a convenient method to alleviate LBP, potentially from changes to posterior chain tissue properties.

Keywords: low back pain, heated massage, myotonometry, pain perception, non-pharmacological, intervention

We demonstrate that a 20 min heated effleurage or heated tapotement massage delivered to the lower back and seat cushion from a car seat can alleviate subjective back pain and tightness in individuals with chronic, non-specific, lower back pain. Additionally, we found that both the heated effleurage and tapotement massages were able to beneficially change muscle stiffness and elastic characteristics, with larger changes elicited from the tapotement massage. By showing efficacious treatment effects with a shortened treatment time of 20 min compared to our previous work of 33 min, this enhances the ability to be used beneficially during each drive, which may have implications for pain alleviation with repeated use.