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

Inclusion Criteria: * Active-duty service member * 18-64 (inclusive) years of age * Medical evidence of subacute low back pain (as indicated by complications lasting 1-3 months) * Willingness to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current dx of any of the following: * Presence of significant comorbid pain (e.g., polytrauma) * Cancer - active/ongoing treatment for * Active Infections, including skin lesions and rashes * Flu or other severe cold virus or COVID * Severe depression or anxiety * Symptomatic Inflammatory/Autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid * Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Acute exacerbation and not in remission * High Grade Spondylolisthesis (Grade III and Grade IV) * Fibromyalgia * Severe Osteoporosis (BMD with T-score of -2.5 or lower, along with the presence of one or more fragility fractures) * Neurogenic conditions * Spinal Stenosis with active neurogenic claudication * Cauda Equina Syndrome - acute * Radiating pain below the knee or in the presence of true Neurological signs (numbness/weakness) * Historical dx of any of the following: * Spinal Cord injuries with persisting neurogenic sensory or motor loss * Lumbar spine back surgery within the past year * Received spinal interventions (e.g., surgery, nerve ablations, steroid injections, etc.) within the past 6 months * Current use of blood thinners/anticoagulants * Is enrolled or plans to enroll in another clinical trial during this study that would affect the patient's safety or results of this trial * \[Females only\] Currently pregnant (self-reported) or plans to become pregnant during the study intervention period