This is a pilot randomized trial intended to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture, chiropractic and massage for chronic back pain in older and younger adults.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Chronic Low Back Pain	Procedure: massage therapy  Procedure: chiropractic  Procedure: acupuncture	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  120

Ages Eligible for Study:  20 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

• Low back pain duration of at least 3 months;
• Low back pain occurring in the past week;
• No numbness or tingling in the lower extremities;
• No pain that radiates to below the knee;
• No use of massage, chiropractic or acupuncture for any reason in the past year;
• Able to attend scheduled appointments;
• Able to hear, read, and understand English;
• No low back pain surgery in the past 3 years;
• No unexplained weight loss;
• No previous vertebral or spinal fractures;
• No previous non-traumatic bone fractures;
• No other spinal pathology, including scoliosis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, or ankylosing spondylitis;
• No cancer (except simple skin cancers) in the past 5 years;
• No pacemakers;
• No bleeding problems or anticoagulant use;
• No major organ transplants;
• No oral corticosteroid use for more than 4 consecutive weeks during the past year;
• Cannot be pregnant;
• Must be able to get down to and up from the floor by yourself;
• Able to walk 2 flat city blocks unassisted;
• Willing to participate in periodic telephone interviews.

Massachusetts
      Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston,  Massachusetts,  00000,  United States
      Harvard medical school, Boston,  Massachusetts,  00000,  United States

Study ID Numbers:  1 R01 AT00622-01; EisenbergD
Record last reviewed:  August 2003
Last Updated:  October 13, 2004
Record first received:  August 1, 2003
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00065975
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08