Back Pain
Male and female doctors treat back pain differently – new US findings
Lower back pain treatment decisions may depend on whether the doctor is male or female, according to findings from Touro College in the US. And neither gender follows recommended guidelines for treating this common and costly health problem.
“Male physicians were more likely to refer, and pain relief was more likely to be recommended by female physicians,” explains lead author, Dr Shira Schechter Weiner. Continue reading
Lower back pain link to chimpanzee spine shape
People with lower back problems are more likely to have a spine similar in shape to the chimpanzee, says new research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology.
Experts analysed the vertebrae of chimpanzees, orangutans and ancient human skeletons to assess the relationship between the shapes of the bones of the spine, upright movement and the health of the human spine. Continue reading
Glucosamine – key area of research says new review of the evidence
Glucosamine-chondroitin continues to be an important area of research when it comes to osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and hand joints, says a recent review of the literature in Current Opinion in Rheumatology.
Key findings of the evidence published over an 18-month period highlight that there has been a sustained focus on glucosamine-chondroitin as a therapeutic agent in the medical management of osteoarthritis. Continue reading
Paracetamol – acetaminophen – may diminish both pain and pleasure
Paracetamol appears to suppress both pleasure and pain, says US research published in Psychological Science. Known as acetaminophen in the US, the common painkiller seems to blunt a person’s emotions in general.
Two experiments tested if paracetamol blunted individuals’ evaluations of and emotional reactions to negative and positive photos. Continue reading
Self-referral for physiotherapy would mean faster treatment for people with arthritis and back pain and less expense for the NHS – new report
Physiotherapists should become the first point of contact for people with back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, says a new report from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Self-referral for physiotherapy could lead to better outcomes for patients, free up time for GPs and save millions for the cash-strapped NHS. Continue reading
