Low Back Pain Trends Attributable to High Body Mass Index

High BMI

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

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Low Back Pain and Hip Asymmetries

hamstring

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

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Do MDs Follow the Guidelines on Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain?

MD Doctor

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

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Deep Spinal Muscles May Contribute to Chronic Low Back Pain

arthritis spine

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…

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Monthly 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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Try Chiropractic First for Low Back Pain!

A review of Medicare claims data concerning 3,042 older adults treated for an acute episode of low back pain revealed that those who initially received nonpharmacologic therapies—such as chiropractic care—were 87% less likely to subsequently be hospitalized in relation to an opioid overdose. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, April 2025 Narcolepsy Linked to Elevated…

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Monthly Pain Update – May 2025

LowerBack

X-Rays for Seniors with Chronic Low Back Pain Chronic low back pain is a common condition that becomes even more prevalent with age. By some estimates, it may affect nearly 3 in 4 older adults each year. As individuals aged 65 and older continue to make up a growing share of the global population, chronic…

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History of Low Back Pain Can Affect a Batter’s Swing

baseball

Examinations of 25 collegiate baseball players revealed that those with a history of low back pain exhibited altered pelvic and trunk movement patterns during their swing, reducing their ability to transfer rotational energy from the lower body to the upper extremities. This may not only negatively affect performance, but it may also increase their risk…

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