Singapore General Hospital compares physiotherapy and TCM tuina for back pain
A study at Singapore General Hospital indicates that while both physiotherapy and tuina massage alleviate lower back pain, physiotherapy provides superior long-term functional benefits.
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) conducted a three-arm study involving 204 patients to evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy against traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tuina massage for chronic lower back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either six sessions of physiotherapy, six sessions of tuina, or a combination of both treatments over a two-month period.
Results published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies showed that all groups experienced significant pain relief after two months. However, at the five-month follow-up, patients who underwent physiotherapy—either alone or in combination with tuina—demonstrated better functional mobility, such as ease of walking and lifting. Researchers attributed this to the exercise programs provided during physiotherapy sessions, which empower patients to manage symptoms at home.
This research represents the first direct comparison of its kind in Singapore. Supported by The HEAD Foundation, the study aims to foster an integrated medical approach. SGH plans to investigate the potential application of tuina for other conditions, including shoulder pain and sleep disorders.