If anyone has the right to complain of low back pain, Canada's postal workers do. That's why Canada Post hired the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and McMaster University to find out if naturopathic medicine could treat the low back pain blamed for absenteeism, low productivity and other healthrelated costs.

The study, published in the journal PLoS One (Sept. 2007), was the first randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of naturopathic medicine in the workplace. Those in the naturopathic group received dietary counseling, deep breathing relaxation techniques and acupuncture. Close to all of the participants (92 percent) completed eight or more weeks of the trial.

Researchers concluded that naturopathic care provided significantly greater improvement than physiotherapy advice for patients with chronic low back pain. Positive results were clinically and statistically significant including: improved physical functioning, decreased disability, significant pain reduction, improved spine flexibility, dramatic reduction in the use of over-the-counter medications/painkillers and improved quality of life, such as providing increased energy.

Bob Bernhardt, President of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario, told Health Action magazine that the college was thrilled to know the research resulted in naturopathic healthcare benefits for the postal workers.

After completing the study, one postal clerk stated, "...my back had been bothering me for years...I stopped exercising, doing things around the house, and even socializing. Now, the pain is so much less and I'm back to enjoying my life."
-ST

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