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

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 exam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 1989-09, Vol.14 (9), p.962-964
Main Authors: GARVEY, T. A, MARKS, M. R, WIESEL, S. W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acupuncture Therapy
Adult
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use
Back Pain - drug therapy
Back Pain - therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents
Double-Blind Method
Ethyl Chloride - therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Lidocaine - therapeutic use
Male
Medical sciences
Myofascial Pain Syndromes - drug therapy
Myofascial Pain Syndromes - therapy
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Prospective Studies
Random Allocation
Triamcinolone Acetonide - analogs & derivatives
Triamcinolone Acetonide - therapeutic use
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0362-2436
1528-1159
DOI:10.1097/00007632-198909000-00008