Impact of massage therapy in the treatment of linked pathologies: Scoliosis, costovertebral dysfunction, and thoracic outlet syndrome

Summary 

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of massage therapy in the concurrent treatment of three related, but discrete, disorders: scoliosis, costovertebral dysfunction, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Methods

A 34-year-old female subject reported steadily increasing pain in the right shoulder over the previous 8 months. Chiropractic diagnosis and assessment by the author's clinical supervisor had identified these three conditions. Massage therapy was administered twice weekly for a total of 8 sessions. Each 75-min session included 15min of intake and assessment, during which pain levels (PLs), sleep patterns, and functional limitations were recorded. Treatment was applied in the remaining 60min, and consisted of Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, and Muscle Energy techniques. The clinical supervisor conducted three extended assessments, which were performed prior to, halfway through, and after the treatment series.

Results

Reported PLs, sleep patterns, and functional limitations all showed substantial improvements over the course of treatment, despite a re-injury to the affected shoulder before the seventh session. Assessment by the Clinical Supervisor confirmed these results.

Conclusions

Massage therapy is an appropriate tool for the concurrent treatment of these three conditions. Further research should focus on the ability of massage to address pathologies normally dealt with as separate entities.

Keywords: Massage, Scoliosis, Costovertebral dysfunction, Thoracic outlet syndrome, Chronic pain