Effects of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments on acute low back pain: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: This randomized controlled study was designed to determine the pain-relieving effect of Biofreeze (Performance Health Inc., Export, PA) body surface application and chiropractic adjustments on subjects with acute low back pain (LBP). Methods: The data were collected at the baseline, 2 weeks after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment for final analyses. Diversified manual adjustments were provided by licensed chiropractors twice a week for 4 weeks to both control and experimental groups. Biofreeze was applied to the lower back area 3 times a day for 4 weeks in the experimental group. Outcome assessments included visual analog scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, heart rate variability for stress, and electromyography for low back muscle activity. Results: A total of 36 subjects were recruited in the study (25 male). The average age was 34 years. Significant pain reduction was found after each week of treatment in the experimental group (P b .05). The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire did not show significant changes in both groups. There were no significant differences for pain reduction in the control group. Heart rate variability analysis showed no significant change (P N.05) in the experimental group after 4 weeks of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments. There were no statistically significant changes in the electromyography readings between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Biofreeze combined with chiropractic adjustment showed significant reduction in LBP.

The Clinical Effectiveness of Biofreeze® Topical Analgesic on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review

“…Change in VAS pain scores with Biofreeze in various musculoskeletal conditions in relation to clinically important differences. Based on data from Bishop et al, 13 Zhang et al, 18 Topp et al, 21 and Sundstrup et al 23 Page and Alexander. J Perform Health Res.…”

“…In a randomized controlled trial by Zhang et al, 18 36 patients with acute back pain underwent chiropractic spinal manipulation twice a week for 4 weeks. The subjects were ) randomly assigned to either a control group (no additional treatment) or an experimental group in whom Biofreeze gel was applied to their back 3 times a day.…”

“…(5/10), and Zhang et al 18 (3/10). With the exception of 1 study, 28 all studies were supported by the manufacturer of Biofreeze, but the studies were independently conducted.…”

Topical Menthol Gel Versus a Placebo Gel on Postmanipulation Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

“…This reduction in neck pain resulting from topically applied menthol is consistent with previous authors who reported that topical menthol reduces neck pain. from acute ankle sprains, 24 chronic lower back pain, 25 and delayed muscle soreness. 26 The pain-mitigating mechanism of the action of topical menthol application has been hypothesized by Wasner et al 27 The authors propose that as menthol stimulates TRPM8 receptors 28 in the skin, the activation threshold for vasoactive C nociceptors and cold-specific A delta fibers is lowered.…”

Acute Effect of Topical Menthol on Chronic Pain in Slaughterhouse Workers with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Triple-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Additionally, a randomized controlled study found that topical menthol combined with chiropractic adjustments reduced acute low back pain [26]. Thus, application of topical menthol is used to relieve pain of the musculoskeletal system and is widespread in sport medicine; however, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials are lacking and the acute effects of topical menthol application on chronic neuropathic pain remain unclear.…”