Table 1 Inclusion Criteria

Continuing member of Group Health

Defined population that is easy to identify, recruit and follow-up and who have been evaluated by a Group Health physician

A, TI

20 through 64 yrs of age

Chronic low back pain in children results from different causes than those we are studying; Older people have higher risk of undiagnosed serious conditions causing low back pain

A

At least one primary care visit for back pain within the past 3-12 months

Efficient method for identifying people who may have chronic low back pain

A

Non-specific, uncomplicated low back pain, i.e., these ICD-9 codes:

These codes are consistent with low back pain that is uncomplicated and mechanical in nature

A

724.2 Lumbago

724.5 Backache, unspecified

724.8 Other symptoms referable to back

846.0-9 Sprains and strains, sacroiliac

847.2 Sprains and strains, lumbar

847.3 Sprains and strains, sacral

847.9 Sprains and strains, unspecified site of the back

Physician willing to have patients included in the study

Research policy

**

Lives or attends primary care clinic within 45 minutes travel time from a study massage therapist

Maximize compliance with treatment protocol requiring 10 visits

A