Posts by brady anderson
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.
Read MoreLow Back Pain Will Increasingly Be a Problem for Decades to Come
According to a recent
study, 628.8 million people worldwide experienced at least one episode of low back pain in 2021.
Treatment for Acute Neck Pain
A systematic review that included eight clinical trials found that
spinal manipulative therapy is a safe and effective intervention for improving pain, disability, and range of motion in
patients with acute neck pain.
Text Neck Syndrome Common Among Medical Students
Text neck syndrome is a repetitive
strain injury caused by prolonged forward head posture—typically from looking down at phones or screens—which
leads to neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes headaches or shoulder discomfort.
Treatment for Mechanical Neck Pain
Recent studies highlight the effectiveness of cervical spine manipulation combined with neck exercises for neck pain, the risks of early antibiotic use increasing asthma and allergies in children, benefits of a plant-based diet for CKD patients, physical activity reducing mortality in depressed individuals, and vitamin D’s protective role against colorectal cancer.
Read MoreDeep Spinal Muscles May Contribute to Chronic Low Back Pain
The lumbar multifidus is a deep spinal stabilizing muscle situated along the vertebrae in the lower back, essential for providing segmental support and controlling precise movements of the lumbar spine. Current research indicates that atrophy, fatty infiltration, and abnormal function of the lumbar multifidus are correlated with non-specific chronic low back pain. These findings suggest…
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update June 2025
Low Back Pain and the Thoracolumbar Fascia It’s estimated that approximately 7.5% of the global population experiences at least one episode of low back pain each year, contributing significantly to healthcare costs and lost productivity. Most cases of low back pain are classified as non-specific, meaning there is no identifiable underlying pathology such as an…
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