A new study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute of Seattle suggests that massage therapy may be better than conventional medicine alone for easing lower back pain. Researchers recruited 401 patients with chronic back pain and found that those receiving a series of either relaxation or structural massage spent fewer days in bed and were more active than those receiving “usual medical care,” ranging from painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to physical therapy.

Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Lead study author Daniel Cherkin, director of the institute, concluded: “If you’re having continuing problems with back pain, even after trying usual medical care, massage may be a good thing to do. I think the results are pretty strong.”

Individuals seeking relief from lower back pain or other discomforts, or desiring a bit of holiday de-stressing, will find a plethora of experienced massage practitioners right here in Southwest Florida.

 

Alex Day Spa & Salon, 855 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples; 239-597-2141, 239-591-4880.

 

Kara Bartoy, Kara’s Skincare, All Natural Skin Care Studio, 6306 Trail Boulevard North, Naples; 239-262-5110. KarasSkinCare.com.

 

Robyn Berry, RB Institute, Inc., 13601 McGregor Boulevard, Suite 13, Fort Myers; 239-939-4646. RobynBerry.com.

 

Christina Carlin, Ayurveda Massage & Yoga Institute, 848 1st Avenue North, Naples; 239-450-6903.

 

Mila Cushman, Alex Day Spa & Salon, 855 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples; 239-597-2141.

 

Elements Therapeutic Massage, The Shoppes at Vanderbilt (formerly The Collection at Vanderbilt), 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 146, Naples; 239-514-2211.  ETMNaples.com.

 

Florida Academy of Massage & Skin Care, Colonial Center, 4387 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers; 239-489-2282. FAMSC.com.

 

Denise Grinnan, Sacred Passages, 4547 Pine Island Road, Unit C, Matlacha; 239-898-6446.

 

Tony Hansen, Therapy on the Gulf, 814 Anchor Rode Drive, Naples; 239-262-8722.

 

Sharon Hartnett (239-692-8486) and Fletcher Stark (202-415-7450), Lighten Up Therapies Holistic Center, Airport Professional Center, 3811 Airport Road North, Naples. IntegrativeSoulandBodywork.com.

 

Healing Arts Center, 971 Michigan Avenue, Naples; 239-262-6828. HealingArtsCenterOnline.com.

 

Health and Harmony Center, Olde Iona Schoolhouse, 15951 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers; 239-433-5995. HealthAndHarmonyOnline.com.

 

Jennifer Hunlock, professional therapeutic bodywork in your home; 239-287-9113.

 

Janice Jackson, 5051 Castello Drive, Suite 226, Naples; 239-272-8539. MassageNaplesFL.com.

Merrill and Linda Lund, 1044 Castello Drive, Suite 213, Naples; 239-649-7700. SeriousPainRelief.com.

 

Massage of Naples, 871 102nd Avenue North, Naples; 239-919-6573. MassageOfNaples.com.

 

Colleen Miller, Trinity Fusion Massage, Anahata Holistic Healing & Spiritual Center,  945 Central Avenue, Naples. Also at Trinity Holistic Healing Center, 881 109th Avenue North, Naples; 239-692-9904. TrinityFusionMassage.com.

 

Christina M. Mitchell, 822 Anchor Rode Drive, Naples; 239-293-0960. BestBodyMassage.com.

 

Tamara Nixon, Tamara’s Skincare & Massage, 1044 Castello Drive, Suite 102-B, Naples; 239-692-8994.

 

Sheila Panegasser, Bonita Springs and Naples locations; 239-431-0269 or [email protected].

 

Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 302, Naples; 239-331-8266.  PurelyYouSpa.com.

 

Alvina Quatrano, Holistic Healing Arts, 3323 Olympic Drive, Suite 722, Naples; 732-266-5276. TheArtOfHolisticMassage.com.

 

Brittany Snyder, Cambridge Square, 3467 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 102, Naples; 239-248-5535.

 

Frederick Stahlman, InnerConnections Physical Therapy, 5633 Strand Boulevard, Suite 310, Naples; 10201 Arcos Avenue, Suite 201, Estero; 239-398-3154. InnerConnectionsPT.com.

 

Dori Stephens, 5051 Castello Drive, Suite 218, Naples; 239-777-9917. NaplesMassageTherapy.com.

 

Paula Terry, by appointment in Collier and Lee counties; 239-821-3088.

 

Trim & Tone Spa, 1201 Piper Boulevard, Suite 20, Naples; 239-596-5522. TrimAndToneSpa.com.

 

Trinity Holistic Healing Center, 881 109th Avenue North, Naples; 239-822-6215.

 

Ultimate Relaxation, Coastland Center Mall (entrance 4, across from Vitamin World), 1950 Tamiami Trail North, Naples; 239-793-8888. MyUltimateRelaxation.com.

 

Warm Mineral Springs, Spa Donya, 12200 San Servando Avenue, North Port; 941-426-1692. WarmMineralSprings.com.

 

Stuart Wright, by appointment; 239-272-6443.