Articles tagged with Back Pain
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A new study indicates that bone-morphogenetic protein (BMP) is used in 25% of spinal fusion procedures and is associated with a higher rate of complications and greater hospital charges. The use of BMP is also linked to increased risk of wound-related complications, dysphagia, and hoarseness.
A new study by The George Institute for International Health found Tai Chi to have positive effects on improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers. Researchers are now conducting a trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen in people with chronic low back pain.
A University of Alberta study found that exercising four days a week provides the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life for individuals with chronic lower-back pain. Regular exercise reduces pain by 28% and disability by 36%, while less frequent exercise has minimal impact.
The American Pain Society has issued a new clinical practice guideline for low back pain, recommending noninvasive treatments over interventional procedures and shared decision making. The guideline provides eight recommendations to help determine the best way to treat patients with persistent back pain.
A randomized trial found acupuncture to be as effective in treating chronic low back pain as usual care, with simulated and standard acupuncture showing similar benefits. The study suggests that the mind-body connection and physiological effects may play a role in the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.
A randomized clinical trial found that real and simulated acupuncture were more effective than usual care in reducing chronic low back pain. Participants who received acupuncture experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in their level of functioning, compared to those receiving usual care.
A new standardized tool for assessing chronic pain has been developed and validated to differentiate between peripheral neuropathic pain and non-neuropathic low back pain. The tool, called STEP, takes just 10-15 minutes to administer and has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy.
A simple bedside test developed by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers accurately distinguishes neuropathic pain from other types of chronic back pain. The Standardized Evaluation of Pain (StEP) assessment is a low-tech approach that outperforms existing screening tests and even MR imaging in identifying underlying pain mechanisms.
Researchers found that ozone treatment can relieve herniated disk pain by reducing disk volume, resulting in improved pain and function outcomes. The treatment's complication rate is less than 0.1 percent and recovery time is significantly shorter compared to surgery.
A review article recommends physical therapy as a first line of treatment for symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease, showing exercise and manual therapy improve function and decrease pain. Physical therapists tailor individualized exercise programs to help patients avoid surgery.
A randomised trial found that kyphoplasty treatment significantly improved quality of life, function, mobility, and pain in patients with acute vertebral fractures compared to non-surgical management. The procedure was also safe and effective, with no significant differences in adverse events between the two groups.
A new UNC study finds that chronic low-back pain has more than doubled in North Carolina since the early 1990s, with a significant increase in prevalence across all ages and racial groups. The study suggests that increased healthcare costs for back problems may be due to rising prevalence rather than increased service use.
A University of Alberta study found that weight training using resistance equipment improved pain and function levels by 60%, compared to aerobic training which only showed a 12% improvement. This whole-body approach strengthened the entire body, decreasing fatigue and enabling daily activities.
A recent study using new MRI techniques found that facet joint effusion and interspinal ligament edema are the most common imaging findings in patients with lower back pain. These soft tissue changes, seen in 85.5% of cases, highlight the importance of addressing degenerative changes in preventing and treating lower back pain.
Active physical therapy for patients with acute low back pain is associated with better clinical outcomes and lower healthcare costs. Physical therapists can help reduce healthcare utilization by providing hands-on therapy and exercises to alleviate low back pain.
The study found that patients aged 50 had the highest costs, while those claiming benefits also experienced increased costs due to unemployment, low education, and living alone. Effective prevention programs can lower expenses in both private and public sectors.
The American Pain Society has expanded its low back guideline to include recommendations on surgery and interventional treatments for chronic pain. The new guidelines suggest that epidural stenosis injections may be an option for short-term pain relief, while other procedures have limited evidence supporting their benefits.
A hybrid technique combining dorsal column stimulator and peripheral nerve field stimulation effectively blocks body's pain signals, providing significant relief from chronic back and leg pain. The implantable procedure has shown promising results with patients experiencing 60-100% reduction in pain.
A study of 240 patients with acute low back pain found that adding diclofenac or spinal manipulative therapy to recommended first-line care did not significantly reduce recovery time. Both treatments showed no clinically useful benefits, highlighting the importance of baseline care for managing acute low back pain.
The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society released joint guidelines on diagnosing and treating low back pain, emphasizing that clinicians should not routinely order imaging tests. Non-pharmacologic treatments like acupuncture and spinal manipulations can provide relief for those with severe pain.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that six months of acupuncture treatment was more effective than conventional therapy in treating low back pain. The treatment, which involved verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture, resulted in significant improvements in pain relief for patients with chronic low back pain.
Researchers found that individuals with a high fear of back pain will exhibit unusual movement patterns to prevent exacerbation, which can ultimately weaken their muscles. This study aims to inform the development of new treatments for backaches, a common condition affecting eight out of ten adults.
Researchers use Functional Anesthetic Discography (FAD) to diagnose lower back pain cause, finding 19 out of 29 discs showed favorable response to anesthetic injection. The study suggests that not all patients with disc disease experience pain relief, indicating potential spinal contributors.
Scientists have developed tiny gel particles that can be injected into damaged intervertebral discs to restore mechanical properties and regain mobility. The 'microgels' have the potential to offer a non-surgical alternative to spinal fusion surgery, reducing recovery time and preserving disc flexibility.
A recent study found that few women in underserved populations receive treatment for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy. Researchers suggest expanding musculoskeletal care to address the issue, particularly among those with a history of pain in previous pregnancies.
Epidural steroid injections provide small but temporary pain relief for lower back pain radiating down a leg. Long-term pain relief beyond three months is not guaranteed.
A systematic literature review found that opioids are effective only in the short-term (less than four months) treatment of chronic low back pain. Long-term effectiveness is not conclusive, and behaviors consistent with opioid abuse were reported in 24 percent of cases.
A new review of studies found that psychological interventions are effective in reducing pain intensity and improving health-related quality of life. These approaches also yield improvements in depression, work-related disability, and daily living.
A Saint Louis University study found no link between cash settlements for work-related back injuries and future impairment. Disability ratings didn't strongly correlate with day-to-day function levels, raising questions about the validity and fairness of current disability determination programs.
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to track water molecule movement in brains of chronic back pain patients and healthy controls. Chronic back pain was associated with more directed diffusion in pain-processing regions, suggesting complex brain organization and hyperactivity.
Researchers used MRI to show that a 90-degree sitting position causes more strain on the spine than an optimal 135-degree posture. This finding could help prevent back pain by advising patients to correct their sitting posture.
Researchers found that nurses experience debilitating low back pain, especially in orthopedic and ICU settings, with 65% of orthopedic nurses developing the condition. Providing access to mechanical lifting devices and redesigning hospital rooms could help prevent such injuries.
A new study using bone SPECT test shows that the test can identify patients with lower back pain who would benefit from facet joint injections, leading to significant pain reduction and cost savings. The test can help doctors avoid unnecessary injections in patients who may not respond well to them.
A study by Andrew D. Gershoff and Gita Johar found that people overestimate their closest friends' knowledge of their tastes and preferences, leading to less accurate recommendations. The researchers suggest that this overestimation is driven by a desire to maintain self-image and protect relationships.
Researchers found that using a low-level heat wrap therapy (CLHT) for three consecutive days significantly reduced pain intensity and improved pain relief, with benefits maintained in the follow-up period. The study showed CLHT to be a safe and effective alternative for treating acute low back pain.
A Mayo Clinic study found that vertebroplasty significantly improved back pain and activity levels in patients with vertebral compression fractures. Patients' pain during rest and activity improved an average of seven points one week after treatment and remained improved for up to a year.
A Group Health study found that yoga was more effective than traditional exercise and education for treating back pain. After 12-26 weeks, patients in the yoga group showed significant improvements in daily activities, back-related function, and pain levels.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that yoga, specifically Viniyoga, significantly improved back function and reduced pain in patients with lower back pain. Regular home practice and supervised instruction were essential for successful treatment.
The study found that pressures at 20% of body weight measured 70 mmHg on the left shoulder and 110 mmHg on the right shoulder - skin surface pressures that are more than double and triple the threshold for reduced blood flow. The researchers hope their findings will influence future backpack design to promote safety and comfort.
Researchers suggest a multidisciplinary approach to managing low back pain, using a step-wise approach with various treatment modalities such as pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation programs, and minimally invasive techniques. This approach can help avoid more invasive surgical treatment options and reduce healthcare costs.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that an exercise program with a special weighted back support improved balance and reduced back pain in women with kyphosis. The intervention, which included shifting the center of gravity and improving back strength, was effective in reducing the risk of falls and fractures.
A randomised trial found that a brief pain management programme delivered by physiotherapists was as effective as a package of physiotherapy incorporating spinal manual-therapy techniques in treating low back pain. The programme resulted in fewer treatment sessions and referrals to secondary care.
A new clinical return-to-work rule developed by Dionne et al. improves the prediction of successful outcomes for patients with back pain. However, C. Maher suggests that further research is required to determine its effectiveness in guiding treatment decisions.
This article discusses various low back pain relief strategies, including prosthetic fit and production, for individuals with amputations. It also explores the impact of head and body movement on gait in patients with inner ear balance organ abnormalities.
A new physical therapy technique, Souchard's global postural re-education, has shown significant improvement in chronic back pain patients. The method involves stretching and strengthening of para-spinal muscles to correct posture and decompress the spinal canal, resulting in pain relief for 92% of participants.
A study by SLU researchers found that African-Americans receive less medical care and smaller compensation packages for work-related back injuries, leading to greater dissatisfaction and long-term disability. This disparity can result in increased costs for the system and individuals, highlighting the need for more equitable treatment.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that chronic back pain is associated with a significant decrease in gray matter volume in the brain, particularly in regions involved in processing information and memory. This suggests that proper treatment may reverse some of the brain changes caused by chronic pain.
Researchers will investigate the relationship between motor coordination, kinesiophobia, and recurrence of low back pain. The study aims to provide treatment guidelines based on individual motor coordination profiles and kinesiophobia scores.
A study found that depressed patients experience less improvement in physical symptoms than emotional symptoms during antidepressant therapy. Physical symptoms often plateau after the initial month of treatment, emphasizing the importance of considering additional therapies.
A study of 8,250 US adolescent girls found that 29.1% experience headaches, 20.7% stomachaches, and 30.6% morning fatigue more than once a week. Social and environmental factors such as alcohol use, caffeine intake, and parent support are strongly associated with the symptoms.
Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic outpatients with back pain were less likely to receive painkillers than white patients. The study attributes this disparity to racial stereotypes among physicians, suggesting a potential issue with racism in the US healthcare system.
Researchers followed patients with no initial back pain and found that those with poor coping skills, chronic pain, or disputed workers' compensation claims were nearly three times more likely to develop back pain. The study suggests that treating psychological factors may be a more effective approach than surgery for some patients.
A Duke University Medical Center study found significant regional disparities in opioid use for back pain, with higher rates in the South and among lower-income and less-educated individuals. The study suggests that improving prescribing patterns is crucial for effective national policy.
A new study published in the journal Pain found that people with depression are four times more likely to develop intense or disabling neck and low back pain. Researchers hope to uncover why these conditions are commonly linked, exploring coping methods to break a vicious cycle.
A six-month graded activity program reduced lost work days by 29 days compared to usual care for patients with work-related low back pain. The program's focus on patient function despite pain was commended, but more research is needed to develop powerful treatments.
A team of Duke University Medical Center researchers found that patients with back pain incur significantly higher health-care expenditures than those without back pain. The study's results highlight the substantial economic burden of back pain, which varies widely across patients and demographics.
A self-management program improved mental and physical functioning in low-income adults with low back pain. The study, funded by the NIH and VA, showed empowering individuals to deal with their pain through exercise and behavior changes significantly reduced symptoms.
A recent MRI study found degenerative changes in the spine as early as childhood, contradicting previous assumptions about when back trouble begins. The research suggests proactive steps should start early in life to prevent future issues.
A self-management program developed by Indiana University researchers significantly reduced disability, improved mental functioning, and increased physical activity among patients with acute low back pain. The program focused on boosting patient confidence and motivation to incorporate daily activities that alleviate symptoms.
A study published in The Lancet found that medium-firm mattresses can significantly improve symptoms of low back pain, including reductions in pain while lying down and getting out of bed. Participants who used medium-firm mattresses reported twice the improvements compared to those using firm mattresses.