Posts Tagged ‘Low Back Pain’
Thoracic Interventions May Reduce Fear of Movement in Low Back Pain Patients
Kinesiophobia is
defined as an excessive, irrational, and debilitating fear of physical movement or activity stemming from a perceived
vulnerability to painful injury or reinjury, which can lead patients to adopt behaviors that interfere with recovery. A
systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials found that, among patients with low back pain and higher
levels of kinesiophobia, incorporating thoracic-focused interventions—such as breathing and chest mobility exercises—
into a multimodal treatment plan significantly reduced fear of movement and was associated with improved patient
outcomes. Disability and Rehabilitation, October 2025
Monthly Pain Update – February 2026
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the costliest and most disabling conditions affecting older adults. Not only can pain and disability interfere with the ability to carry out activities of daily living, but proprioceptive deficits associated with low back pain can impair balance, increasing the risk of serious falls and injuries that can dramatically affect long-term health and independence. Despite clinical guidelines on effective management of low back pain in the senior population, these ten prominent myths persist and continue to hinder recovery:
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – January 2026
Low back pain is extremely common and remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, resulting in substantial healthcare utilization and cost. Because of this broad impact, identifying and implementing effective, safe, and cost-efficient strategies to diagnose, manage, and prevent low back pain is essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare burden.
Read MoreLifestyle Habits Linked to Low Back Pain
While we normally think of poor posture or improper lifting technique as risk factors for low back pain, lifestyle choices can also set the stage for the condition. In a recent study, researchers found that smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with low back pain, while smoking and physical inactivity are linked to more severe pain and a greater likelihood of progressing to chronic low back pain. PLoS One, July 2025
Read MoreIncorrect Beliefs About Low Back Pain Can Impede Recovery
Central sensitization is a state
where the nervous system becomes overly reactive, causing the body to amplify pain signals and feel pain more
easily than it should, which can hinder recovery from low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. In a sample
of 119 chronic low back pain patients, questionnaires revealed that beliefs inconsistent with current evidence—such
as believing back pain means permanent damage, will inevitably worsen, makes movement unsafe, requires rest, or
leaves little chance of recovery—were associated with higher central sensitization scores, underscoring the
importance of patient education as part of a multimodal treatment approach. Physiotherapy, May 2025
Low Back Pain Reduces Productivity
Among 411 academic and administrative employees at a
university, researchers found that although only 2.3% missed work because of low back pain, nearly 1 in 5 continued
working while in pain, which can hinder productivity. The authors suggest that workplace wellness initiatives could
help reduce the burden of low back pain among staff and, in turn, decrease presenteeism. Work, August 2025
Monthly Pain Update – December 2025
It’s estimated that as many as 50–70% of new mothers experience low back pain and related disability, which can hinder their ability to carry out daily activities such as household chores, self-care, and meeting the physical demands of infant care—including feeding, lifting, and carrying. When severe enough, these physical limitations can contribute to stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression, further interfering with the mother’s ability to bond with her newborn and diminishing her overall quality of life. What are the underlying causes of postpartum low back pain?
Read MoreHip Problems May Play a Role in Disabling Low Back Pain
In a study of 79 patients receiving
treatment for severe hip disorders, researchers found that many who also had disabling low back pain experienced
significant improvements in back pain and function after treatment. The findings highlight how dysfunction in one
part of the body can contribute to musculoskeletal problems in neighboring regions. Hip International, 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.
Read MoreTrends 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.
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