Massage After Surgery Improves Pain Relief
Friday, February 22nd, 2008
Postoperative pain is always managed by the use of numerous drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents as well as narcotics. While such drugs can be highly effective, other non-pharmacologic approaches such as massage therapy have also shown to have a positive effect.
A recent study published in the December 2007 issue of Archives of Surgery has shown that massage can be aneffective and safe adjuvant therapy for the relief of acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing major operations.
At VA hospitals in Ann Arbor Michigan and Indianapolis Indiana, 605 patients (mean age 64 years) who underwent major surgery were evaluated over a two year period from 2003 to 2005. Patients were assigned into 3 groups; routinue drug care, individualized attention from a massage therapist (20 minutes), or back massage by a massage therapist each evening for up to 5 days after surgery. The patients were then assessed by visual analog scales measuring pain intensity and anxiety.
Compared with the control group, patients in the massage group experienced short-term decreases in pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and anxiety that were all statistically significant. In addition, patients in the massage group experienced a better decrease in pain intensity and unpleasantness during the first 4 postoperative days compared with the control group.
Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis
Dr. Barry Eppley