Articles tagged with Back Pain
Using HEART score to risk stratify patients with chest pain is safe and effective. However, its underutilization in emergency department (ED) settings may contribute to its limited impact on healthcare costs, which could be improved by reducing unnecessary admissions and testing.
A study published in JAMA found that spinal manipulation therapy associated with modest improvements in pain and function at up to 6 weeks, with temporary minor musculoskeletal harms. The treatment has a statistically significant association with improvements in both pain and function, but heterogeneity in study results remains a concern.
A study found that real-world massage therapy produced clinically meaningful improvements in low back pain for primary care patients, with significant effects seen in adults from baby-boom and older generations. However, the benefits were not retained over time for obese patients, while those taking opioids showed less improvement.
A new study from The George Institute found that pregabalin treatment did not relieve pain but caused side effects like dizziness. Despite this, many patients reported being satisfied with the treatment, highlighting the need for alternative management options for sciatica.
Oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens produce high sustained virologic response rates for all six hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes, making them effective for treating patients with chronic HCV infection. The ease of dosing and safety profile of DAAs provide an opportunity to reduce the burden of hepatitis C in the US.
Researchers found that proper knee and back angles during the Islamic prayer ritual can reduce lower back pain. The angles are based on individual body shapes, and incorrect movements can increase pain. Further study is needed for physically handicapped individuals and women, especially pregnant women.
Research at the University of Sydney found that back pain is linked to a 13% increased risk of death in older Australians. The study controlled for shared genetic factors and suggests that spinal pain may be part of a pattern of poor health, increasing mortality risk.
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial found that patients treated with naproxen and placebo had outcomes as good as those treated with naproxen and diazepam (Valium) for acute lower back pain. By three months after visiting the emergency department, most patients had recovered completely regardless of treatment.
The American College of Physicians issues a guideline for treating nonradicular low back pain, recommending non-drug therapies such as superficial heat, massage, and acupuncture. For chronic low back pain, the ACP suggests exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction as initial treatment options.
The American College of Physicians recommends treating acute and subacute low back pain with non-pharmaceutical therapies like heat, massage, and spinal manipulation. For chronic low back pain, exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and acupuncture are shown to improve symptoms.
Patients with low back pain that radiates to the buttock, groin, thigh, and knees may have complex 'hip-spine syndrome'. A comprehensive physical examination and imaging studies can help diagnose the primary cause of pain. The article recommends considering both hip and spine conditions in diagnosis and treatment.
New research from The George Institute for Global Health reveals that commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provide limited short-term pain relief and cause significant side effects. The study highlights the need for developing new therapies to treat back pain, which affects 80% of Australians during their lifetime.
School-aged children experience low back pain due to musculoskeletal overuse or trauma, with a correlation between competition level and risk. Preventive measures include pre-season sports conditioning programs and rest, helping reduce injuries and long-term risk of low back pain.
Research reveals weather plays no part in the symptoms associated with back pain and osteoarthritis, contrary to long-held beliefs. Higher temperatures slightly increase lower back pain risk but not clinically important.
A study published in Spine found that surgery significantly improves sex life-related pain and disability in patients with degenerative spinal conditions. After three months, less than 20% of patients still experienced pain, compared to 40% without surgery. The improvement persisted for four years.
A new high-frequency spinal cord stimulation technique, HF10, offers superior clinical outcomes for patients with severe, chronic back and leg pain. After a trial period, patients were randomly assigned to receive either HF10 or traditional low-frequency SCS, with lasting reductions in back and leg pain reported at two years' follow-up.
Research suggests that many people with chronic low back pain experience limited relief from opioids, with only 13% finding them 'very successful'. Additionally, patients often report side effects such as constipation, sleepiness, and cognitive issues.
A study found that open-label placebo treatment reduced initial pain and disability scores by approximately 30% in patients with chronic low back pain. This approach harnesses the placebo effect without deception, offering a potential solution to improve treatment of back pain.
Research suggests that people with chronic low back pain are more likely to use illicit drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Those with a history of illicit drug use are also more likely to have a prescription for opioid analgesics.
A new study found that Facebook advertising is effective in identifying adults with Inflammatory Back Pain (IBP), a condition often delayed in diagnosis due to lack of awareness. The study recruited over three quarters of patients through Facebook, resulting in earlier referrals to specialist treatment and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Group Health Research Institute discovered that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can alleviate chronic low back pain, with improvements seen at six months and one year compared to usual care. MBSR training led to significant reductions in functional limitations and self-reported back pain.
A study published in JAMA found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in greater improvement in back pain and functional limitations compared to usual care. MBSR focused on increasing awareness of moment-to-moment experiences, including physical discomfort and difficult emotions.
Researchers found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) significantly improved symptoms in patients with moderate to severe low back pain, reducing disability by up to 50%. The study suggests OMT as a viable alternative to surgery for these patients.
A review of medical literature suggests that exercise alone or in combination with education may reduce the risk of low back pain. Moderate-quality evidence supports exercise combined with education as a preventive measure, reducing the risk of an episode of low back pain and sick leave.
A new clinical study at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has discovered a personalized approach to diagnose low back pain by analyzing serum levels of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Higher IL-6 levels were found in individuals with lumbar intervertebral disc disease, suggesting that biochemical profiling can...
A new literature review finds that nearly two-thirds of adolescent patients with back pain have unclear causes after clinical physical examination and imaging. Dr. Suken A. Shah advises maintaining proper posture, good core strength, regular exercise, and avoiding heavy backpacks to prevent or minimize back pain.
Neurologist Brian Callaghan's team identified 74 unnecessary medical services in neurological care, including imaging for low back pain and headaches. The goal is to inspire discussions between clinicians and patients about avoiding wasteful or unnecessary tests and treatments.
A study published in JAMA found that combining a muscle relaxant or opioid with an NSAID did not provide better pain relief for patients with acute low back pain. Despite this, nearly two-thirds of patients demonstrated clinically significant improvement in LBP and function within one week.
A study found that early physical therapy for recent-onset low back pain resulted in statistically significant improvement in disability compared to usual care. However, the improvement was modest and did not achieve a clinically important difference at the individual patient level.
A new study reveals that patients with lumbar spinal stenosis prefer pain relief to improved mobility, defying medical community assumptions. Researchers surveyed 269 patients and found that 79% chose pain reduction over increased physical function.
Researchers found that spinal manipulation provides immediate benefits for some patients with low-back pain, but has no effect on others. The study suggests that different groups of people respond differently to the treatment, highlighting the complexity of low-back pain and the need for personalized care.
Patients with depression or anxiety experience 50% less pain improvement, 75% more opioid abuse when prescribed opioids. Identifying psychiatric disorders early can improve pain relief and reduce opioid abuse risk.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) decreased postpartum low back pain by over 70 percent in women who had given birth at least three months before beginning treatment. Participants reported a significant improvement in quality of life, with a 7...
A new study from San Francisco State University found that individuals with lower educational levels and incomes are less likely to know about alternative medicine practices like yoga, acupuncture, and natural products. This lack of knowledge is strongly associated with lower education levels and income.
A literature review analyzing the most frequently cited papers on lumbar spine surgery identified key trends and observations, including studies highlighting situations where spinal surgery should not be performed. The top-ranked paper was a classic study showing common spinal abnormalities despite no back pain or symptoms.
A study published in BMC Health Services Research found that early physical therapy following an initial episode of acute low back pain resulted in lower healthcare costs and reduced use of resources. Patients who received physical therapy within 14 days had significantly lower costs for advanced imaging, injections, surgery, and opioids.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found paracetamol to be ineffective in reducing pain intensity and improving disability or quality of life for patients with lower back pain. However, it provided small benefits in reducing pain and disability for osteoarthritis, while increasing the risk of liver function test abnormalities.
Paracetamol is ineffective in reducing pain, disability, or improving quality of life for patients with low back pain or osteoarthritis. Its use may also affect the liver, increasing the risk of liver toxicity in patients. The study calls for an urgent review of guidelines that endorse paracetamol for these conditions.
New research at the AAOS Annual Meeting identified nicotine dependence, obesity, and depression as significant risk factors for low back pain. The study found that these conditions can increase a person's relative risk of developing low back pain by 4-6 times.
A study published in JAMA found that early imaging for back pain in older adults did not lead to better outcomes, but rather increased costs. The study compared function and pain at 12 months among patients who received early imaging versus those who did not.
A five-year clinical trial will examine two treatments for acute low back pain, aiming to prevent chronic conditions. BMC researchers will recruit 2,640 patients to test the efficacy of early physical therapy with cognitive behavioral coaching.
A large twin study suggests that genetic factors may explain the association between low back pain and depression. The study, published in PAIN, analyzed data from nearly 2,150 Spanish twins and found a significant link between symptoms of depression and low back pain.
The University of Pittsburgh is leading a $14 million clinical trial comparing two approaches to treat acute lower back pain, one with usual care and the other with cognitive behavioral therapy. The study aims to reduce chronic lower back pain and its effects on daily life.
A case-crossover study found that engaging in manual tasks with awkward positions, being distracted during activities, or feeling fatigued significantly increases the risk of acute low back pain. The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, identified 12 modifiable triggers for an episode of low back pain.
Researchers found that prescriptions for quinine and Google searches for leg cramps peak during the summer months. This seasonality could lead to a 'quinine holiday' during colder months for patients taking the medication.
A new study published in Neurology found that pregabalin is not effective in controlling the pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. The most common type of chronic lower back pain in older adults, this condition affects millions worldwide and often leads to surgery or stronger pain medications.
A Northwestern University study found that smokers are three times more likely to develop chronic back pain and that quitting the habit may reduce vulnerability to this condition. The research also identified a key brain region involved in addictive behavior and motivated learning.
A new study has documented how the spine moves during sex and recommends different positions for women with low-back pain. The atlas suggests that women who are extension-intolerant replace spooning with the missionary position to reduce nerve tension and load on tissues.
A new study using motion capture technology recommends alternative sexual positions for men with low back pain, finding 'quadruped' and 'missionary' positions to be less straining than previously thought. The study aims to provide a scientific basis for individualized recommendations on sexual activity for men with back pain.
A new study from the University of Waterloo has discovered exactly why certain sex positions trigger back pain, revealing recommendations for couples to manage their pain during intimacy. The findings suggest that men with flexion-intolerant back pain should replace spooning with doggy-style sex and use a hip-hinging motion.
Researchers found a slight increase in lower back pain risk with higher wind speed but it was not clinically significant. This contradicts previous studies that linked cold or humid weather to increased symptoms.
A new study reveals that combining SPECT/CT with conventional bone scans can provide accurate information about the source of low back pain, leading to more effective treatment. The results show that patients who underwent this imaging approach experienced significantly better pain relief outcomes compared to those who did not.
The NIH Task Force recommends defining chronic low back pain as back pain lasting at least three months, causing pain on at least half of days over the past six months. The task force also suggests a nine-item cLBP Impact Score to assess how back pain affects patients' lives.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that experimental low back pain altered the functional connections between the insula and default mode network, affecting regions involved in cognition and emotion. The findings suggest a crucial role of these brain regions in pain processing.
Low back pain is the leading cause of global disability, affecting nearly one in 10 people worldwide. The condition's prevalence and impact are expected to increase with aging populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A third of all work-related disability worldwide is attributed to low back pain, primarily affecting agricultural sector workers and individuals between 35-65. The study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study, indicating that these groups are almost four times more likely to develop low back pain disability.
A new study reveals that back surgery can increase average annual earnings by $1,925 compared to non-surgical treatments, as well as reduce missed workdays by three per year. The research suggests that surgery is a cost-effective solution for patients with herniated discs, resulting in savings of over $5,000 over a four-year period.
A study by Beaumont research found that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion reduces chronic low back pain, hospital stays, complications and scarring. Patients demonstrated high satisfaction rates, being completely pain-free and returning to work and daily activities.
Choosing Wisely Canada aims to reduce harm by promoting evidence-based medical practices, encouraging patients and doctors to 'think twice' before ordering unnecessary tests and treatments. Eight Canadian societies will release their lists in April 2014, featuring evidence-based recommendations for common procedures.
A voxel-based morphometry study reveals regional gray matter volume abnormalities in chronic back pain patients compared to upper back pain patients. Gray matter atrophy affects perception and modulation of chronic pain, with subcortical increases found only in low back pain patients.