Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1515580
A B M P m e m b e r s ea r n F R E E C E h o u r s by rea d i n g t h i s i s s u e ! 17 KNEAD TO KNOW Heat Therapy Widely Recommended for Patients with Low-Back Pain What is the prevalence of heat therapies being recommended to patients with significant pain issues? According to the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, health- care professionals in Europe are recommending heat therapy to approximately 92 percent of their patients complaining of low-back pain. In a study published in January 2024, researchers analyzed the regularity of experts recommending heat therapy for musculoskeletal pain, particularly in patients with low-back and neck pain. Between November 2021 and January 2022, a 13-question survey was distributed to vetted health- care professionals spread widely across Europe. The results, according to the 282 responses, indicate that heat therapy is recommended by 86.5 percent of experts surveyed and administered to approximately 50 percent of their patients, with a significantly higher percentage administered to those complaining of low-back pain—about 92 percent. Patients with neck pain (approximately 84 percent) were given similar recommendations. The survey also conveys that heat therapy is most often chosen for "its relaxation effect, high safety profile, and enhancement of tissue perfusion." As a nonpharmacological approach, heat therapy is highly recommended and validated as a therapeutic treatment for low- back pain, both in a clinical setting as well as in at-home use. bodyworkmovementtherapies. com/article/S1360- 8592(24)00029-9/fulltext Did You Know? While original Medicare does not cover any massage therapy sessions (meaning 100 percent of the cost is on the client), certain Medicare Advantage plans may provide extra benefits that are not available in traditional Medicare. These special plans allow clients to use rebate dollars for "primarily health related" benefits, though in some cases, the benefits are limited to certain subgroups of beneficiaries, like those with diabetes or congestive heart failure. kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/ medicare-advantage-2023- spotlight-first-look/