2015, Volume 7, Issue 4

The role of myofascial massage in spinal pains in professionally active women

Małgorzata Kawa¹, Karol Orłowski¹, Małgorzata Kowza-Dzwonkowska<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Kinesiology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport


Author for correspondence: Małgorzata Kowza-Dzwonkowska; Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Kinesiology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; email: mkd[at]awf.gda.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background: Pain ailments of the spine are one of the most common diseases of the system of bones and joints. 75% to 85% of the world’s population suffer or will suffer from it, and lumbar pain is the most common cause of disability of persons over 45 years of age. They are usually the beginning of a chronic, often progressing ailments often leading to disability,
incapacity to work and restrictions in daily life. Myofascial massage helps reduce pain sen
sations. Is a specific method of gradual stretching soft tissues and making muscle fibres
more elastic. It reduces increased muscle tone, muscle insertions and tendons.

Material/Methods: The study involved 30 women with a mean age of  52.7 years. The study relied on performing 10 myofascial massages of the spine within 2 weeks.

Results: The statistical analysis of the Wilcoxon’s signed-ranked test showed statistically significant results for tested variables of the Laitinen scale (the intensity of pain before and after the treatment at p = 0.00, the incidence of pain before and after the treatment at p = 0.00, the use of analgesics before and after the treatment at p = 0.00, limitation of physical activity before and after the treatment at p = 0.00).

Conclusions: The applied therapy involving a series of myofascial massages supporting the structures of the motor segment, improving the elasticity of the massaged tissues and normalising the muscle tone resulted in reducing pain ailments in the lumbo-sacral section of the spine. Improvement in the patients’ well-being and increased desire for physical activity took place.

Key words: pain, lumbar spine, myofascial massage, deep tissue massage, women