Health Blog
Hip Mobility May Contribute to Back-Related Disability
In a study of 1,239 chronic low
back pain patients, researchers found that those with limited hip mobility reported greater back-related disability—even when lower back mobility was unaffected. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to managing musculoskeletal disorders, as factors beyond the area of chief complaint may contribute to the condition and must be addressed for optimal outcomes. European Spine Journal, June 2025
Monthly Pain Update – September 2025
In addition to persistent pain, individuals with chronic low back pain often exhibit impaired postural control, which is linked to core muscle atrophy, weakness, and dysfunctional motor control. One effective method for addressing these deficits is dynamic stabilization exercises—a functional approach based on developmental movement patterns modeled after infant motor learning.
Trends in Modifiable Risk Factors for Low Back Pain
Over the last 30 years, the burden of low back pain attributed to smoking has declined and has nearly been eclipsed by poor metabolic health. However, occupational exposures continue to be a leading cause of low back pain-related disability.
Lifestyle Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in Teens
A comparison of 80 adolescents with low back
pain and 80 without revealed that physical inactivity, poor posture while completing homework, and prolonged
computer use are each associated with an elevated risk for low back pain.
Forward Head Posture Makes Balancing More Taxing on the Brain
Forward head posture is a postural misalignment in which the head protrudes in front of the body’s center of gravity, increasing strain on the neck and upper back muscles. Examinations of 64 adults under age 25 revealed the brain must
expend more cortical resources to maintain stability when forward head posture is present—especially during more physically demanding balance tasks. Scientific Reports, July 2025
Buttock Pain May Be a Symptom of Lumbar Disk Herniation
Examinations of 321 disk
herniation patients revealed that buttock pain is a common and independent symptom affecting three out of four such
individuals—particularly those with contained herniations and an intact annulus.
Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, March 2025
Monthly Pain Update – August 2025
While findings vary across studies, research generally agrees that some degree of spine pain is common in school-aged children—from elementary school through middle and high school. Multiple factors can contribute to spine pain in students, and one that routinely appears in the literature is backpack use. The issue is not necessarily backpack use itself, but the stress heavy, poorly fitted, or improperly worn backpacks place on a child’s developing body.
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
Low 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
Do 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
Monthly 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.
Low 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.