Lumbar Spine & Low Back Pain

ACOEM GUIDELINES – Non-Invasive and Minimally Invasive Management of Low Back Disorders – Full Text Article

Hegmann, Kurt T. MD, MPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: March 2020 – Volume 62 – Issue 3 – p e111-e138 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001812 Abstract Objective: This abbreviated version of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s (ACOEM) Low Back Disorders Guideline reviews the evidence and recommendations developed for non-invasive and minimally invasive management of […]

Surgery for Chronic Sciatica Bests Conservative Care

— But Canadian study may have important limitations by Judy George, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today March 18, 2020 Microdiscectomy produced better pain relief than standard nonsurgical care (see below) for patients with chronic sciatica caused by lumbar disk herniation, a single-center trial showed. Six months after surgery, leg-pain intensity scores were 2.8 in the surgical group […]

Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulation and Myofascial Release Compared With Spinal Manipulation Alone on Health-Related Outcomes in Individuals With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

Physiotherapy, 107, 71-80 2019 Nov 18 Taise Angeli Boff Abstract Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of spinal manipulation combined with myofascial release compared with spinal manipulation alone, in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Design: Randomized controlled trial with three months follow-up. Setting: Rehabilitation clinic. Participants: Seventy-two individuals (between 18 and 50 years […]

T’ai Chi for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: A Feasibility Trial

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Karen J. Sherman, Robert D. Wellman, Rene J. Hawkes, Elizabeth A. Phelan, Tamsin Lee, and Judith A. Turner Published Online:3 Feb 2020 https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0438 Abstract Objectives:T’ai chi (TC) has been found effective for improving chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, such studies did not include adults over 65 years […]

Current Evidence for Diagnosis of Common Conditions Causing Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Standardized Terminology Recommendations

JMPT VOLUME 42, ISSUE 9, P651-664, NOVEMBER 01, 2019 Robert D. Vining, DC, DHSc Zacariah K. Shannon, DC, MS Amy L. Minkalis, DC, MS Elissa J. Twist, DC, MS Published:December 20, 2019 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.08.002 Abstract Objective The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate and summarize current evidence for diagnosis of common conditions causing low […]

Development of a Clinical Decision Aid for Chiropractic Management of Common Conditions Causing Low Back Pain in Veterans: Results of a Consensus Process

JMPT VOLUME 42, ISSUE 9, P677-693, NOVEMBER 01, 2019 Robert D. Vining, DC, DHSc Published:December 18, 2019 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.03.009 Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical decision aid for chiropractic management of common conditions causing low back pain (LBP) in veterans receiving treatment in US Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities. […]

Development of an Evidence-Based Practical Diagnostic Checklist and Corresponding Clinical Exam for Low Back Pain

VOLUME 42, ISSUE 9, P665-676, NOVEMBER 01, 2019 Robert D. Vining, DC, DHSc Amy L. Minkalis, DC, MS Zacariah K. Shannon, DC, MS Elissa J. Twist, DC, MS Published:December 18, 2019 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.08.003 Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to use scientific evidence to develop a practical diagnostic checklist and corresponding clinical exam for […]

Lumbar muscle stiffness is different in individuals with low back pain than asymptomatic controls and is associated with pain and disability, but not common physical examination findings – Full Text Article

Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2019 Nov 1;45:102078. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.102078. [Epub ahead of print] Koppenhaver S1, Gaffney E2, Oates A2, Eberle L2, Young B3, Hebert J4, Proulx L5, Shinohara M6. Abstract BACKGROUND: Lumbar muscle dysfunction is commonly implicated in low back pain (LBP). Shear-wave elastography (SWE) uses ultrasound technology to quantify absolute soft tissue stiffness (shear modulus), […]

Are respiratory disorders risk factors for troublesome low-back pain? A study of a general population cohort in Sweden

European Spine Journal November 2019, Volume 28, Issue 11, pp 2502–2509 Abstract Purpose A multi-morbidity perspective of troublesome low back pain (LBP) has been highlighted for example in relation to respiratory disorders. Our purpose was to investigate whether respiratory disorders are risk factors for reporting troublesome LBP in people with no or occasional LBP at […]

Natural History of Back Pain in Older Adults over Five Years – Full Text Article

Wendelien H. van der Gaag, Wendy T. M. Enthoven, Pim A. J. Luijsterburg, Jantine van Rijckevorsel-Scheele, Sita M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Arthur M. Bohnen, Maurits W. van Tulder and Bart W. Koes The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine November 2019, 32 (6) 781-789; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2019.06.190041 Abstract Introduction: Back pain is a prevalent health problem. […]

Short-Term Effect of Kinesiotaping on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Disability: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Shanshan Lin, Bo Zhu, Guozhi Huang, Chuhuai Wang, Qing Zeng, Shanshan Zhang Physical Therapy, pzz163, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz163 Published: 07 November 2019 Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is a very common and disabling disorder in modern society. The intervention strategies for LBP include drug therapy, surgery, and physical interventions. Recently, kinesiotaping, as a simple and noninvasive […]

Throwing out your back – What does it mean? [Video]

Throwing out your back. Here I show what ‘ throwing out your back’ looks like using the models I craft. Often, the cause of this pain is due to the buckling or folding of a spinal level creating an injury to one of the many anatomical structures of the spine. ~ Jerome Fryer Watch YouTube […]

Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Chronic Discogenic Sciatica, a Randomized Controlled Sham Acupuncture Trial

Pain Med. 2019 Nov 1;20(11):2303-2310. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz167. Ziling Huang 1 2, Sixing Liu 3, Jing Zhou 1, Qin Yao 2, Zhishun Liu 1 Affiliations expand PMID: 31369674 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz167 Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for discogenic sciatica. Design: Single-center, parallel, randomized controlled sham acupuncture trial. Methods: Twelve sessions of acupuncture […]

Early Access to Chiropractors, PTs Tied to Decreased Long-Term Opioid Use

October 23, 2019 Odds of short- or long-term opioid use higher for initial visits with physicians for low back pain TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients who initially see a physical therapist or chiropractor for low back pain rather than a primary care physician are much less likely to be prescribed opioids, according […]

Gluteus medius muscle function in people with and without low back pain: a systematic review

Sean Sadler, Samuel Cassidy, Benjamin Peterson, Martin Spink & Vivienne Chuter BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Volume 20, Article number: 463 (2019) Published: 22 October 2019 Abstract Introduction Globally, low back pain (LBP) is one of the greatest causes of disability. In people with LBP, dysfunction of muscles such as the gluteus medius have been demonstrated to […]

Where do patients with MRI-confirmed single-level radiculopathy experience pain, and what is the clinical interpretability of these pain patterns? A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study – Full Text

Hanne B. Albert, Jeanette Kaae Hansen, Helle Søgaard & Peter Kent Chiropractic & Manual Therapies volume 27, Article number: 50 (2019) Abstract Background Clinicians nominate the distribution of leg pain as being important in diagnosing nerve root involvement. This study aimed to identify: (i) common unisegmental radicular pain patterns and whether they were dermatomal, and […]

The Long-term Reoperation Rate Following Surgery for Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc Disease

A Nationwide Sample Cohort Study With a 10-year Follow-up Kim, Chi Heon MD, PhD∗,†; Chung, Chun Kee MD, PhD∗,†,‡; Choi, Yunhee PhD§; Kim, Min-Jung MS§; Yim, Dahae MS§; Yang, Seung Heon MD∗,†; Lee, Chang Hyun MD∗,†; Jung, Jong-Myung MD¶; Hwang, Sung Hwan MD∗,†; Kim, Dong Hwan MD∗,†; Yoon, Joon Ho MD∗,†; Park, Sung Bae MD, […]

Evidence of efficacy of acupuncture in the management of low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-or sham-controlled trials

Acupunct Med. 2019 Sep 16:acupmed2017011445. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011445. [Epub ahead of print] Xiang Y1, He JY2, Tian HH1, Cao BY3, Li R1. Abstract OBJECTIVES: To assess the evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), compared with sham or placebo therapies. METHODS: We searched Cochrane CENTRAL to December 2016, and conducted searches […]

Burden of Sciatica on US Medicare Recipients

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. SEPTEMBER 09, 2019 DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-19-00174, PMID: 31517882 Publication Date: September 09, 2019 Joseph Maslak Abstract Objective: This study evaluates the disease burden of sciatica on the US Medicare cohort. Background Data: Sciatica is a common disability that has important physical, mental, and economic effects. The Medicare Health […]

Understanding sciatica: illness and treatment beliefs in a lumbar radicular pain population. A qualitative interview study – Full Text

Robert Goldsmith, Nefyn Howard Williams and Fiona Wood BJGP Open 6 August 2019; bjgpopen19X101654. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen19X101654 Abstract Background Several pathological processes contribute to lumbar radicular pain (LRP), commonly known as sciatica. It is not known how patients rationalise the experience of sciatica or understand the diagnosis. Providing clinicians with a better understanding of how patients […]