Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and Bio Electro-Magnetic Regulation Therapy on Low Back Pain in Adults.

Summary

It is clear that low back pain (LBP) is a major challenge in our society, which can lead to severe disability in many individuals. Although there are several different treatments and approaches to help individuals with LBP, the number affected by this condition has been steadily increasing.

OMT has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of LBP. In fact, the use of OMT has been shown to increase mobility of the lumbar myofascial tissues, visceral motion and decrease pain in patients with LBP. Bio Electro-Magnetic Regulation (BEMER) Therapy is a therapeutic modality that deploys a biorhythmically defined stimulus through a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF), which leads to an increase in blood flow. The positive effects of BEMER on the circulation has been shown to result in significant increases in arteriovenous oxygen difference, number of open capillaries, arteriolar and venular flow volume, and flow rate of red blood cells in the microvasculature. Therefore, BEMER can potentially be used in the treatment of LBP by improving microcirculation in muscular tissue. In fact, BEMER with physiotherapy showed reductions in pain and fatigue acutely in patients with chronic low back pain. A systemic review of randomized controlled trials that investigated whether PEMF was effective in low back pain showed there was decrease in pain intensity and improved functionality in individuals with different low back pain conditions.

Therefore, it is plausible that the combination of OMT and BEMER therapy may help increase circulation to myofascial structures that influence low back restriction and pain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the individual and combined effects of OMT and BEMER therapy on low back pain.

Conditions

• Musculoskeletal Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Bio Electro-Magnetic Regulation (BEMER) Therapy

BEMER is a therapeutic modality that deploys a biorhythmically defined stimulus through Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF). This stimulus has a targeted effect on the microvasculature, and the primary effect is an improvement in tissue microcirculation. The positive effects of vasomotion on the microcirculation has been shown to result in significant increases in arteriovenous oxygen difference, number of open capillaries, arteriolar and venular flow volume, and flow rate of red blood cells in the microvasculature. Therefore, BEMER can potentially be used in the treatment of LBP by improving microcirculation in muscular tissue.

PROCEDURE

OMT (osteopathic manipulative treatment)

i. OMT Myofascial release (MFR), soft tissue (ST) release, muscle energy (ME), counterstrain (CS), and balanced ligamentous tension (BLT) technique.

PROCEDURE

Light touch

Treaters will place their hands lightly on the subject's lumbar paraspinal muscles in the supine and prone positions in the same area as where one would place your hands for lumbar MFR technique for the same amount of time as it would take to perform MFR in this area (approximately 5 minutes). However, no lifting or action will be done. In addition, the subject will lie down on the BEMER mat (as they would do during a BEMER session), but the device will not be activated.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Santiago Lorenzo, PhD · Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-09-13

Primary Completion

2019-09-09

Completion

2019-09-09

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations