In a recent randomized controlled trial conducted at the Women Workers Association in Hong Kong, researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination therapy involving relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with lavender essential oil for individuals suffering from sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP).

Led by Y.B. Yip and S.H.M. Tse, (2004) the study recruited adult participants experiencing non-specific LBP and divided them into two groups: the intervention group, which received eight sessions of relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a three-week period, and the control group, which received usual care only.

The researchers measured various outcomes including changes in pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain duration, lateral fingertip-to-ground distance, walking time, and interference with daily activities.

At the onset of the study, both intervention and control groups exhibited similar baseline VAS scores, indicating comparable levels of pain intensity. However, one week after the completion of treatment, the intervention group demonstrated a remarkable 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity compared to the control group. Additionally, improvements in walking time and lateral spine flexion range were observed in the intervention group, suggesting enhanced physical functionality.

The findings of this study suggest that the combination therapy of relaxation acupoint stimulation and lavender oil acupressure is a promising approach for short-term relief of LBP. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported, indicating the safety of the intervention.

These results highlight the potential of complementary therapies such as acupoint stimulation and aromatherapy with lavender oil to augment mainstream medical treatments for individuals suffering from sub-acute LBP. Further research and exploration of such integrative approaches could offer valuable alternatives for managing and alleviating LBP in clinical settings.

Reference: Yip, Y. B., & Tse, S. H. M. (2004). The effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial. Complementary therapies in medicine, 12(1), 28-37.