Archive for July 2025
Low Back Pain Trends Attributable to High Body Mass Index
Past research has established high body mass index (BMI) as a significant risk factor for low back pain. Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease study, researchers reported a 171% increase in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)—a metric that reflects years lost to illness, disability, or premature death—attributable to obesity-related low back pain between 1990 and 2021. This substantial rise highlights the growing public health burden of obesity and its contribution to chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2025
Read MoreLow Back Pain and Hip Asymmetries
Examinations of 93 middle-aged and older adults revealed that those with low back pain were more likely to exhibit asymmetries between their hips, suggesting altered biomechanics. Prior research has shown that hip and low back dysfunction often co-occur, with impairment in one region potentially increasing the risk of issues in the other. North American Spine Society Journal, March 2025
Read MoreDo MDs Follow the Guidelines on Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain?
A survey that included 1,253 Swiss medical doctors (MDs) revealed that only 61% were aware of the current clinical guidelines on the management of acute non-specific low back pain. When presented with two hypothetical and routine cases of acute non-specific low back pain, respondents recommended several inappropriate treatment approaches including x-rays and MRI in the absence of red flags, muscle relaxants, oral steroids, strong opioids, spinal injections, and activity restrictions, including bed rest. Swiss Medical Weekly, January 2025
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – July 2025
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition caused by the narrowing of spaces within the lower spine, which can compress either the spinal cord or nerve roots. This pressure can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness—either locally or radiating down the legs—especially during activities that involve spinal extension (e.g., bending backward or prolonged standing) or compressive loading.
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