Scientific Breakthrough For Naprapathy31 May
2007
Naprapathy works better on
back and neck trouble than recommended and proven
effective advice from doctors, according to a new study
from Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.
The study is the first major investigation into
naprapathy - and opens up possibilities for its
integration into regular treatments.
Naprapathy
is a special system for restoring functionality and
reducing pain in muscles and joints. The therapy is
manual, with the naprapath using manipulation and
mobilisation of the spine and other joints, and muscle
treatments such as stretching and massage. Treatments
are often complemented with different kinds of physical
exercise and advice.
Eva Skillgate, postgraduate
student at the Department of Environmental Medicine,
Karolinska Institutet, has compared the efficacy of
naprapathy with that of medical advice in accordance
with the guidelines that had previously proved most
effective against back and neck pain. The results,
published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, show
distinct differences in favour of naprapathy.
In
the study of 409 patients, the researchers compared two
groups of people with back and neck problems. Following
a medical examination to eliminate serious conditions,
the patients were randomly assigned to two therapeutic
alternatives. Half of the patients were treated by a
naprapath and half received advice and support from
doctors with the aim of strengthening their belief in
their own ability to deal with the complaint. The advice
encouraged the patients to move, despite any pain, and
to live as normal a life as possible.
Twelve
weeks after study start, 57% in the naprapathy group
stated that were 'very much better' compared with 13 %
in the control group. 69% in the naprapathy and 42% in
the control group had a clinically important decrease in
pain, and 19% in the naprapathy group and 7% in the
control group was totally recovered twelve weeks after
the study had started. Separate analysis of neck pain
and back pain patients showed similar results. For the
majority of the patients the pain/disability had lasted
for more than one year.
"The study looked at a
very common type of back and neck complaint," says Eva
Skillgate. "The trial adds to the knowledge that
recommending a combination of manual therapies, as
naprapathic manual therapy, may be an alternative to
consider in primary healthcare for patients with back
and neck pain."
----------------------------
Article
adapted by Medical News Today from original press
release.
----------------------------
Publication:
"Naprapathic Manual Therapy or
Evidence-Based Care for Back and Neck Pain; A
Randomized, Controlled Trial" Eva Skillgate, Eva
Vingard, Lars Alfredsson Clinical Journal of
Pain, May 2007, 23:431-439
For more
information, please contact:
Eva Skillgate
Karolinska Institutet is one of the leading
medical universities in Europe. Through research,
education and information, Karolinska Institutet
contributes to improving human health. Each year, the
Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel
Prize in Physiology or Medicine. For more information,
visit http://info.ki.se/ki
Contact: Katarina Sternudd
Karolinska Institutet
Article URL:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/72149.php
Main News Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Also Appears In: Complementary
Medicine / Alternative Medicine,
|
