A prospective, randomized, double-blind evaluation of trigger-point injection therapy for low-back pain

Garvey, T. A.

Marks, M. R.

Wiesel, S. W.

Spine

1989

14(9)

962-964

RCT

RCT

Back Pain

Low Back Pain, Acute

Acu Versus > 1 Control

Acupuncture

Acupressure

Trigger Point Acupuncture Style

Symptom Based Point Selection

Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only

Usual Care Control, Pharmaceutical

Pain

CAM Control

Individualized Acupuncture Protocol

The efficacy of trigger-point injection therapy in treatment of low-back strain was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The patient population consisted of 63 individuals with low-back strain. Patients with this diagnosis had nonradiating low-back pain, normal neurologic examination, absence of tension signs, and lumbosacral roentgenograms interpreted as being within normal limits. They were treated conservatively for 4 weeks before entering the study. Injection therapy was of four different types: lidocaine, lidocaine combined with a steroid, acupuncture, and vapocoolant spray with acupressure. Results indicated that therapy without injected medication (63% improvement rate) was at least as effective as therapy with drug injection (42% improvement rate), at a P value of 0.09. Trigger-point therapy seems to be a useful adjunct in treatment of low-back strain. The injected substance apparently is not the critical factor, since direct mechanical stimulus to the trigger-point seems to give symptomatic relief equal to that of treatment with various types of injected medication.

Back Pain

N/A

63

1 Day