Before the new Medical Treatment Guidelines were instituted on 12/01/10, massage treatment for neck and back injuries was not an accepted modality of treatment and therefore not compensable. The new Medical Treatment Guidelines makes specific reference to massage therapy for mid and low back injuries in certain circumstances.

The Medical Treatment Guidelines may allow for massage therapy in chronic back pain situations at a frequency of one to two times per week. It can also be recommended for acute back pain with radicular symptoms at a frequency of one to two times per week.

The Workers’ Compensation Board Guidelines indicate that the optimum duration for this type of treatment is six weeks. However, if recommended by a medical doctor, ongoing massage therapy may be authorized by submission of a variance form MG-2.

If you would like to try massage therapy as a treatment for your low back injury, please contact your physician and ask whether or not this may be a beneficial treatment for your injury.

If you have questions regarding your Workers’ Compensation claim, please feel free to contact our office.