Ezzo, Jeanette PhD, CMT; Haraldsson, Bodhi G. RMT; Gross, Anita R. MSc; Myers, Cynthia D. PhD, LMT; Morien, Annie PhD, PA-C, LMT; Goldsmith, Charlie H. PhD; Bronfort, Gert PhD, DC; Peloso, Paul M. MD, MSc; the Cervical Overview Group
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of massage on pain, function, patient satisfaction, cost of care, and adverse events in adults with neck pain. Overall, 19 trials were included, with 12/19 receiving low-quality scores. The authors conclude that no recommendations for practice can be made at this time because the effectiveness of massage for neck pain remains uncertain. Pilot studies are needed to characterize massage treatment (frequency, duration, number of sessions, and massage technique) and establish the optimal treatment to be used in subsequent larger trials that examine the effect of massage as either a stand-alone treatment or part of a multimodal intervention.
Spine. 32(3):353-362, February 1, 2007.