Massage may help relieve pain
Jun 13, 2008
Back massage may help relieve pain and reduce anxiety after a major surgery, according to a new report.
Back massage may help relieve pain and reduce anxiety after a major surgery, according to a new report.
Many patients experience pain after surgery despite use of pain-relieving medications, according to background information in the report. Pain may be under-treated because patients fear becoming dependent on medications or are concerned about side effects.
Allison R. Mitchinson of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and colleagues conducted a trial involving 605 veterans undergoing chest or abdominal operations between 2003 and 2005. Patients who received massage had reported less pain than those who received attention but no massage.
Many patients experience pain after surgery despite use of pain-relieving medications, according to background information in the report. Pain may be under-treated because patients fear becoming dependent on medications or are concerned about side effects.
Allison R. Mitchinson of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and colleagues conducted a trial involving 605 veterans undergoing chest or abdominal operations between 2003 and 2005. Patients who received massage had reported less pain than those who received attention but no massage.