Lumbar Spine & Low Back Pain

Does magnetic resonance imaging predict future low back pain?

Does magnetic resonance imaging predict future low back pain? A systematic review. Review article Steffens D, et al. Eur J Pain. 2014. Citation Eur J Pain. 2014 Jul;18(6):755-65. doi: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00427.x. Epub 2013 Nov 26. Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to identify pathology responsible for low back pain (LBP). However, the […]

Tylenol (paracetamol/acetaminophen) does not affect recovery time compared with placebo in acute low-back pain

Dr Christopher M Williams PhD The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 24 July 2014 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60805-9 Efficacy of paracetamol for acute low-back pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial Summary Background Regular paracetamol is the recommended first-line analgesic for acute low-back pain; however, no high-quality evidence supports this recommendation. We aimed to assess the efficacy of paracetamol taken […]

Acetaminophen Fails in Back Pain Trial

by Nancy Walsh, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today July 23, 2014 The use of acetaminophen for acute low-back pain was no more effective than placebo, with similar times to recovery regardless of whether the drug was taken regularly or as needed, a large randomized trial found. Among patients who took acetaminophen on a regular schedule, median time […]

The probability of spontaneous regression of lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review

Clin Rehabil. 2015 Feb;29(2):184-95. doi: 10.1177/0269215514540919. Epub 2014 Jul 9. Chiu CC Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the probability of spontaneous disc regression among each type of lumbar herniated disc, using a systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched using key words for relevant original articles published before March […]

Risk factors for serious underlying pathology in adult emergency department nontraumatic low back pain patients.

J Emerg Med. 2014 Jul;47(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.140. Epub 2014 Apr 13. Thiruganasambandamoorthy V1, Turko E2, Ansell D3, Vaidyanathan A4, Wells GA5, Stiell IG1. Abstract BACKGROUND: Nontraumatic low back pain (LBP) is a common emergency department (ED) complaint and can be caused by serious pathologies that require immediate intervention or that lead to death. OBJECTIVE: The […]

Effects of Pelvic Belt on Hip Extensor Muscle EMG Activity During Prone Hip Extension in Females With Chronic Low Back Pain – Full Text Article

J Phys Ther Sci 2014 Jul;26(7):1023-4. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1023. Epub 2014 Jul 30. Jae-Seop Oh PMID: 25140087 PMCID: PMC4135188 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.26.1023 Abstract [Purpose] This study assessed the effects of a pelvic belt (PB) on the electromyography (EMG) activity of the elector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF) in females with chronic low back […]

Dose-response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for care of chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Spine J. 2014 Jul 1;14(7):1106-16. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.07.468. Epub 2013 Oct 16. Haas M, Vavrek D, Peterson D, Polissar N, Neradilek MB. Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There have been no full-scale trials of the optimal number of visits for the care of any condition with spinal manipulation. PURPOSE: To identify the dose-response relationship between visits to a […]

Positive Findings in Military Low-Back Pain Study

In a low-back pain study led by the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 73 percent of those who received standard medical care and chiropractic care rated their improvement as pain “completely gone,” “much better” or “moderately better.” In comparison, 17 percent of participants who received only standard medical care rated their improvement this way. These results, as well as other measures of pain and […]

Effect of Weather on Back Pain: Results From a Case‐Crossover Study – Full Text Article

Arthritis Care and Research Osteoarthritis and Symptoms Daniel Steffens First published: 10 July 2014 https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.22378 Abstract Objective To investigate the influence of various weather conditions on risk of low back pain. Methods We conducted a case‐crossover study in primary care clinics in Sydney, Australia. A total of 993 consecutive patients with a sudden, acute episode […]

Outcomes for Chronic Neck and Low Back Pain Patients After Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Cynthia K. Peterson, RN, DC J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2014;xx:1-6) Journal Reference ABSTRACT Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate outcomes of chronic patients unresponsive to previous spinal manipulative therapy subsequently treated with manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). Methods: A prospective outcome cohort study was performed on 30 patients who had not improved with previous […]

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient With Low Back Pain

Authors: Joshua J. Van Wyngaarden, PT, DPT Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2014, Volume: 44 Issue: 7 Pages: 500-507 doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.4935 Journal Reference Study Design Resident’s case problem. Background The purpose of this report was to describe (1) the clinical reasoning that led a clinician to identify an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a […]

Recommendations for Physical Therapists on the Treatment of Lumbopelvic Pain During Pregnancy

Recommendations for Physical Therapists on the Treatment of Lumbopelvic Pain During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review Esther van Benten, PT, MPT Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2014, Volume: 44 Issue: 7 Pages: 464-A15 doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5098 Journal Reference Study Design Systematic review of the literature. Objectives To review and assess the peer-reviewed literature on the effectiveness […]

A Randomized Trial of Epidural Glucocorticoid Injections for Spinal Stenosis – Full Text Article

July 3, 2014 N Engl J Med 2014; 371:11-21 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1313265 Abstract BACKGROUND Epidural glucocorticoid injections are widely used to treat symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, a common cause of pain and disability in older adults. However, rigorous data are lacking regarding the effectiveness and safety of these injections. METHODS In a double-blind, multisite trial, […]

Common Back and Leg Pain Treatment May Not Help Much, Study Says

The New York Times By PAM BELLUCK JULY 2, 2014 Story Source A widely used method of treating a common cause of back and leg pain — steroid injections for spinal stenosis — may provide little benefit for many patients, according to a new study that experts said should make doctors and patients think twice […]

Determining the activation of gluteus medius and the validity of the single leg stance test in chronic non-specific low back pain

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 07/01/2014 Clinical Article Penney T, et al. – The objective of this study is to determine the activation of the gluteus medius in chronic non–specific low back pain compared to controls and to determine the association between clinical rating of Single Leg Stance (SLS) with CLBP and gluteus medius […]

Time-varying surface electromyography topography as a prognostic tool for chronic low back pain rehabilitation

The Spine Journal June 1, 2014 Volume 14, Issue 6, Pages 1049–1056 Yong Hu, PhD Abstract Background context Nonsurgical rehabilitation therapy is a commonly used strategy to treat chronic low back pain (LBP). The selection of the most appropriate therapeutic options is still a big challenge in clinical practices. Surface electromyography (sEMG) topography has been […]

Short term treatment versus long term management of neck and back disability in older adults utilizing spinal manipulative therapy and supervised exercise: a parallel-group randomized clinical trial evaluating relative effectiveness and harms – Full Text Article

Corrie Vihstadt, Michele MaiersEmail author, Kristine Westrom, Gert Bronfort, Roni Evans, Jan Hartvigsen and Craig Schulz Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 201422:26 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-014-0026-7© Vihstadt et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014 Received: 17 June 2014 Accepted: 7 July 2014 Published: 23 July 2014 Background Back and neck disability are frequent in older adults resulting in loss […]

Two Important, Yet Simple Tests For Low Back Pain / Leg Pain

JULY 1, 2014 BY CHIROTRUST The nervous system can be categorized in many different ways. In understanding nervous system physiology, a simple but accurate way of categorization is to view the nervous system as two separate but integrated systems: The MOTOR nerve system The SENSORY nerve system The MOTOR nerve system is the nerves that move our muscles (motor), and also control the […]

How healthy discs herniate: a biomechanical and microstructural study investigating the combined effects of compression rate and flexion

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Jun 1;39(13):1018-28. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000262. Wade KR, Robertson PA, Thambyah A, Broom ND. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Microstructural investigation of compression-induced disruption of the flexed lumbar disc. OBJECTIVE: To provide a microstructural analysis of the mechanisms of annular wall failure in healthy discs subjected to flexion and an elevated rate of compression. […]

MVC Pains Are In More Than The Neck

Pain Location and Duration Impact Life Function Interference During the Year Following Motor Vehicle Collision. Bortsov AV, et al. Pain. 2014 Jun 24. pii: S0304-3959(14)00302-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.06.013. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract Persistent musculoskeletal pain is common after motor vehicle collision (MVC) and often results in substantial disability. The objective of this study was to […]