1. Introduction
tumor, low back pain, headaches, fracture, muscle soreness, pain, infection, chronic neck pain, CM, drug abuse, Disability, disability
TUMOR, AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IMBALANCE, CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN, FIBROMYALGIA, MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN, INFECTION, ADVERSE EFFECTS, INCREASED SLEEP, MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN, OSTEOPOROSIS
Mechanical low back pain is defined as a condition that causes tension, pain, or stiffness in the lumbar region without any specific cause (e.g., infection, tumor, osteoporosis, fracture, etc).Chronic low back pain negatively affects daily life and causes other problems in addition to pain. Disability due to pain can severely limit participation in work, social, and family life.Another common finding of low back pain are neurophysiological changes caused by autonomic nervous system imbalance.Pharmacotherapy is widely used for chronic low back pain and other accompanying problems. However, the possibility of drug abuse and adverse effects has led researchers to focus on non-pharmacological approaches.However, massage is a safe treatment option with few side effects in patients with low back pain. It is an effective therapy in some types of headaches, muscle soreness, and mechanical neck pain.Connective tissue massage (CTM) has local and reflex effects that reshape the tissue through manipulation. Influences of the CTM stimuli in the skin and subcutaneous fascial layers result in reflex effects on the autonomic nervous system.Previous studies have stated that CM and CTM reduced pain and disability and increased sleep quality and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic neck pain, and chronic low back pain.Based on the information discussed above, the primary aim of the study was to determine the most effective manual therapy by comparing the effects of CM and CTM on pain in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP). The second aim was to compare the effects of massage methods on autonomic responses, disability, quality of life, and sleep quality.