Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management
This study evaluates whether a 6-week semi-standardized integrative therapeutic massage intervention improves sleep quality and pain outcomes compared with usual care in active-duty service members with chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among active-duty military personnel and adversely affect force readiness and operational performance. Sleep and pain are bidirectionally linked: poor sleep amplifies pain perception, while pain disrupts sleep quality. Massage therapy is widely utilized for pain relief, but the mechanisms driving improvement remain unclear. This study evaluates whether a 6-week semi-standardized integrative therapeutic massage intervention improves sleep quality and pain outcomes compared with usual care in active-duty service members wit…
Inclusion Criteria: Active-duty military service member Age 18 to 60 years Self-reported chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain for at least 3 m onths (≥3 months) Baseline pain severity score of 4 or greater (DVPRS ≥4) Able to read and understand English Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer for survey completion - Exclusion Criteria: Criteria:Provider recommendation against massage therapy Undergone surgery within the prior 3 months Pregnancy Received clinical massage therapy within the prior 12 months Diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Sy…
45-minute sessions delivered by a licensed therapist incorporating 15 minutes of head/neck nervous system calming followed by Swedish techniques, myofascial release, passive range of motion, and localized trigger point work using moderate pressure.
Standard pharmacologic, physical therapy, and medical management directed by primary care or specialty providers.
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