Investigating Medical Massage Therapy for Patients With Sub-Acute Lower Back Pain

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a weekly regimen of Medical Massage Therapy (MMT) with provider-directed care shortens the duration of Medically Restricted Duty Days (MRDD) periods in Active-Duty Service Members with Subacute Lower Back Pain (LBP) compared to provider-directed care alone.

The main question the study aims to answer is, when used as an adjunct to provider-directed care, a consistent program of MMT provided by a qualified practitioner, will shorten the duration of MRDD periods, reduce pain, and decrease unnecessary healthcare utilization in patients with Subacute LBP compared to provider-directed care alone. Researchers will study this hypothesis through the comparison of Group #1 (provider-directed care alone) and Group #2 (provider-directed care and MMT).

Participants randomized into the two study groups will be following a 12-week study design (+/- 2 weeks) comprised of their compliance to their provider-directed care, the study intervention (if randomized to Group #2) and study case report forms (CRFs); with a final follow up visit (up to 4 weeks following their final treatment visit).