Physiotherapy vs. TCM: Which Works Better for Back Pain in Singapore?

Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues in Singapore, affecting office workers, athletes, and seniors alike. If you’ve experienced persistent back discomfort, you may have wondered: Should I see a physiotherapist or try Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? Both approaches are popular, but they work in very different ways.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a science-based healthcare approach that focuses on restoring movement, reducing pain, and building long-term resilience. Instead of just masking symptoms, physiotherapists identify and address the root causes of back pain, such as weak stabilising muscles, poor posture, or restricted mobility.

Common physiotherapy treatments include:

  • Manual therapy: Mobilisation, joint adjustments, and soft tissue release

  • Exercise therapy: Tailored exercises to strengthen weak muscles and correct imbalances

  • Posture and ergonomic coaching: Long-term strategies to reduce daily strain

  • Rehabilitation programs: Support for sports injuries, ACL tears, and post-surgery recovery

Research consistently shows that physiotherapy works. For example, large reviews confirm that exercise therapy reduces pain and improves function for chronic back pain (Hayden et al., 2021). International guidelines, including those from the American College of Physicians (2017), recommend physiotherapy and other non-drug treatments, such as exercise, spinal manipulation, and mindfulness, as the first line of care (Qaseem et al., 2017).

In Singapore, physiotherapy is widely recommended not only for back pain, but also for sports injuries and return-to-sport rehabilitation.

What is TCM?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach, focusing on balancing the body’s energy, or “Qi.” For back pain, the most common TCM methods are:

  • Acupuncture: Fine needles inserted at specific points to reduce tension and pain

  • Tui Na massage: A therapeutic massage technique to improve circulation and mobility

  • Herbal remedies: Prescriptions aimed at restoring balance and supporting recovery

  • Cupping therapy: Suction cups applied to the skin to release tightness and improve blood flow

Some evidence supports TCM for short-term relief. For example, systematic reviews show acupuncture can reduce pain for low back pain, though results are modest and vary by study (Yuan et al., 2016). While the ACP includes acupuncture as an option, the UK’s NICE guideline does not recommend it due to insufficient evidence for long-term benefit (Qaseem et al., 2017; NICE, 2016).

Other TCM methods, like cupping, may also provide short-term relief, but research shows evidence quality is low to moderate (Wang et al., 2021).

Which Works Better for Back Pain?

The answer depends on your goals:

  • For quick symptom relief: TCM methods like acupuncture or cupping may reduce tension and provide short-term relief.

  • For long-term recovery and prevention: Physiotherapy is more effective because it addresses underlying issues (muscle weakness, poor posture, or mobility restrictions).

  • For athletes or active individuals: Physiotherapy is essential to ensure safe return to sport, prevent recurrence, and rebuild strength.

TCM can be helpful for temporary pain relief and relaxation, but evidence for long-term recovery or prevention of recurring back pain is still inconsistent. That’s why many in Singapore turn to TCM for natural, short-term comfort, while physiotherapy remains the stronger option for lasting results.

In many cases, a combination of both approaches can be beneficial,  for example, using TCM for temporary relief while physiotherapy builds long-term resilience.

Final Takeaway

If your back pain keeps coming back or is linked to sports injuries, posture, or daily activities, physiotherapy in Singapore offers the most sustainable results. It helps you move better, recover faster, and prevent future injuries.

At Strength Clinic Academy, our physiotherapists specialise in back pain physiotherapy, sports injury rehab, and return-to-sport programs, helping busy professionals and athletes recover with confidence.

References

  • Hartvigsen, J., et al. (2018). What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2356–2367.

  • Hayden, J. A., et al. (2021). Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

  • NICE (2016). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59).

  • Qaseem, A., et al. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: ACP guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(7), 514–530.

  • Yuan, Q. L., et al. (2016). Effectiveness of acupuncture for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine, 41(2), E91–E103.

  • Wang, Y., et al. (2021). Cupping therapy for chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 56, 102589.

  • Lee, J. H., et al. (2015). Tui Na for musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 7(5), 465–472.

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