October 18, 2025
Chronic low back pain is a common problem that impairs the activities of daily life. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities in chronic low back pain. Low back pain is defined as dorsal pain; which is localized in the region extending from the 12th rib to the inferior gluteal region and which is accompanied by leg pain in some cases. Low back pain is the most common type of musculoskeletal pain and a symptom that impairs the activities of daily living. A multidisciplinary treatment approach; which requires practicing pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in combination, is essential for the treatment of Chronic low back pain. Some of non-pharmacological methods are exercise therapy, massage, acupuncture, yoga, cognitive-behavioral therapy, progressive relaxation, spinal manipulation, and intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Massage therapy is a common integrative treatment method for low back pain.
Massage therapy relaxes and calms the individual, enhances rest, contributes to recovery and results in physiological changes including relaxation, low blood pressure, reduced heart rate, low oxygen consumption, reduced muscle tension, and lower cortisol and noradrenaline levels. It has been reported that therapeutic use of essential oils applied through the skin can relieve the pain. Data were collected between August-December 2020 in a physical therapy clinic of a university hospital. The control, massage and aromatherapy massage groups included 30, 31 and 30 patients, respectively. Two sessions of low back massage per week were applied to the aromatherapy group with frankincense and myrrh essential oils and to the placebo group with jojoba oil. Massage was not applied to the control group. As a result, aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myrrh essential oils can be integrated to medical treatments to relieve pain and reduce disability in an individual's daily life in chronic low back pain.
According to this study, it was determined that, in addition to physical therapy session, massage with frankincense and myrrh oils had positive effects on pain and disability in activities of daily living in patients with Chronic low back pain. It is concluded that aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myrrh oils can be an integrative therapy option for patient with Chronic low back pain.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830723001027