Classical Massage and Acupuncture in Chronic Back Pain – Non-Inferiority Randomised Trial

Abstract Background Currently, there is a need for scientific evidence on the efficacy of classical massage therapy for chronic, unspecific back pain, especially for the improvement in functional impairment and long-term pain reduction. According to the National Health Care Guidelines, classical massage for nonspecific low back pain may only be prescribed in combination with exercise therapy and a share of the remuneration. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is recognised in the guidelines as an independent treatment for chronic back pain and is remunerated by health insurance companies. This raises the question of…