2023, Vol. 10, Issue 6, Part C

Introduction: Low back pain is often intense pain in the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. It has a wide variety of causes and can have serious consequences. Objective: The aim of this intervention study was to evaluate the cumulative effects of massage and physical exercise on low back pain in women in the city of Yaoundé.

Methods: Thirty (30) women suffering from low back pain divided into three (03) groups of ten (10) participated in a 21-day micro-program of physical activity combined with localized massage. Group 1 (G1) was made up of women who did only physical exercise. Group 2 (G2) consisted of women who had only undergone Swedish massage sessions. Group 3 (G3) was made up of women who had undergone both physical exercise and Swedish massage. The variables were measured at the beginning and end of the physical exercise program.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in body mass (p˂ 0.01) and fat mass (p˂ 0.01) in all three groups. The study also revealed that massage and physical exercise induced a significant reduction in the intensity and appreciation of discomfort caused by pain in women in all groups. This reduction in pain intensity and discomfort was more marked in G3 (p˂ 0.001) than in the first two groups G2 and G1 (p˂ 0.01).

Conclusion: It is suggested that physical exercise combined with Swedish massage tends to have more marked positive effects on the risk factors associated with low back pain than physical activity or Swedish massage used separately.