Lumbar Spine & Low Back Pain

The Immediate Hypoalgesic Effects of Mobilization and Manipulation in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trial

by Thomas Sampsonis,Stefanos Karanasios *ORCID andGeorge GioftsosORCID Physiotherapy Department, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Aigaleo, Greece Healthcare 2025, 13(14), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13141719 Submission received: 1 May 2025 / Revised: 10 July 2025 / Accepted: 15 July 2025 / Published: 17 July 2025 Abstract Background/Objectives: Manual therapy techniques, including mobilization and manipulation, are commonly used for chronic low back pain (CLBP), […]

Risk of dementia following gabapentin prescription in chronic low back pain patients

Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2025 Jul 10:rapm-2025-106577. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2025-106577. Nafis B Eghrari PMID: 40639955 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2025-106577 Abstract Introduction: Gabapentin is widely used to treat chronic pain, but its association with cognitive decline and dementia remains unclear. This study examined whether gabapentin prescription is associated with dementia in adults with chronic low back pain. Methods: We […]

Prognostic factors associated with improvement in patients with an episode of non-specific low back pain without radicular syndrome: a prospective observational exploratory study

Published: 21 May 2025 Gaetan Barbier, Martin Descarreaux, François Cottin & Arnaud Lardon Chiropractic & Manual Therapies volume 33, Article number: 21 (2025) Abstract Background Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with most cases classified as non-specific(NSLBP). While manual therapy appears effective for treating NSLBP, further research is needed to identify […]

The Impact of Chiropractic Care on Opioid Prescriptions in Veterans Health Administration Patients Receiving Low Back Pain Care

Journal of General Internal Medicine Original Research Published: 20 May 2025 Abstract Background Key nonpharmacologic therapies, including those routinely provided by chiropractors, are recommended first-line treatments for low back pain (LBP). Little is known on whether such care provided in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has a downstream effect on the use of other healthcare […]

Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity and Exercise Among People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Published Online: April 7, 2025Volume0IssuejaPages1-46 https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2025.12905 Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise among people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). DESIGN: A qualitative evidence synthesis. DATA SOURCES: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases from inception to July […]

What is the Natural History of Low Back Pain? It Depends

By Awah Bodunrin in Uncategorized on March 14, 2025. By: Chad E Cook PT, PhD, FAPTA Definition: The natural history of a disease refers to the progression of a disease in an individual over time, from its onset (pathological or exposure to causal agents) to its resolution. It is generally considered “natural” when no interventions […]

Another Expert Group Throws Shade at Spinal Injections for Back Pain

— “No more effective than sham procedures,” evidence review finds by John Gever, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today February 19, 2025 Key Takeaways Epidural anesthetic or steroid injections, nerve blocks, and related interventions are commonly used to treat chronic back pain. This review found no solid evidence showing that these interventions are more effective than sham […]

Epidural Steroid Shots for Back Pain Have Limited Efficacy, Review Shows

— Promising benefits in some situations, but mixed results in others by Judy George, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today February 12, 2025 Key Takeaways Epidural steroid shots for back pain had mixed results, an AAN review showed. The treatment demonstrated promising short-term benefits for radiculopathy patients. In other situations, benefits were unclear or limited. Epidural […]

Chiropractic Improves Discogenic Low Back Pain, IVD Structural Integrity and Biochemistry

October 31, 2024 Written by: James Demetrious, DC, DABCO Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist The Identification of Chiropractic Biomarkers In their recent paper, Billham et al. offer a case report evaluating intervertebral disc (IVD) structural integrity and degenerative pain biochemistry following a course of Cox flexion-distraction SMT. [1] The authors employed magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and novel […]

Efficacy of Naproxen in Patients With Sciatica

November 30, 2024 Efficacy of Naproxen in Patients With Sciatica TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 123 participants evaluated the efficacy of naproxen in treating patients with sciatica. The primary outcome of interest was daily leg pain intensity measured on a numeric rating scale. Secondary outcomes included pain measurement on other pain rating scales, […]

Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk

October 23, 2024 Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of patients with chronic sciatica pain. The primary outcome was a change in visual analog scale score for leg pain. Participants in the acupuncture group had […]

The association between sleep disorder, sleep duration and chronic back pain

Published: 14 October 2024 The association between sleep disorder, sleep duration and chronic back pain: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2009–2010 Meiru Zhong & Zhou Wang BMC Public Health Volume 24, Article number: 2809 (2024) Abstract Background Back pain is a typical condition, and the association among sleep disorders, sleep duration and […]

Structured Run-Walk Program May Help Lower Back Pain

This Exercise May Help Lower Back Pain, No Special Equipment Needed — Carefully structured run-walk program proves mettle in small trial by John Gever, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today October 8, 2024 Adults younger than age 45 with chronic, nonspecific lower back pain saw significant pain relief with a structured run-walk program in a randomized trial. […]

Effects of reducing sedentary behaviour on back pain, paraspinal muscle insulin sensitivity and muscle fat fraction and their associations: a secondary analysis of a 6-month randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open. 2024 Sep 28;14(9):e084305. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084305. Jooa Norha PMID: 39343453 PMCID: PMC11440184 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084305 Abstract Objectives: Sedentary behaviour (SB) is a plausible intervention target for back pain mitigation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-month SB reduction intervention on back pain and related disability outcomes, and paraspinal muscle (ie, erector spinae and transversospinales separately) […]

Acupuncture May Relieve Pain-Specific Disability in Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis

July 11, 2024 Greater improvement seen for acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in mean modified Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire score TUESDAY, July 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) — For patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and predominantly neurogenic claudication pain symptoms, acupuncture may relieve pain-specific disability, according to a study published online July 2 in the Annals […]

Topical Diclofenac vs Oral Ibuprofen for Acute Low Back Pain

March 21, 2024 Annals of Emergency Medicine TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the use of diclofenac gel versus oral ibuprofen for acute low back pain in the emergency department and found that topical diclofenac gel was significantly less effective in relieving pain and improving function 2 days after prescription compared with oral ibuprofen 400 […]

Medication recommendations for treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Morgan R. Price DC, Kaelyn E. Mead DC, Diana M. Cowell PharmD, BCPS, Alyssa M. Troutner DC, MS, Tyler E. Barton DC, Sheryl A. Walters MLS, Clinton J. Daniels DC, MS First published: 17 April 2024 https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13142 Abstract Objective The purpose of this systematic review was to ascertain guideline-recommended pharmaceutical approaches […]

Effectiveness of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

April 02, 2024 Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: JABFM TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This propensity score–matched retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for up to 12 months in treating individuals with chronic low back pain. No difference was observed between the LTOT and control groups with regard to mean […]

NADA Ear Acupuncture and Medical Acupuncture for Pain- and Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Prospective Clinical Trial

Brain Sci. 2024 Mar; 14(3): 205. Published online 2024 Feb 23. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14030205 PMCID: PMC10968796 PMID: 38539594 Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association)-standardized ear acupuncture protocol in comparison to medical acupuncture (MA) in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back […]

Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Management

Am Fam Physician. 2024 Mar;109(3):233-244. Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Management Donald Clinton Maharty PMID: 38574213 Abstract Chronic low back pain, defined as lumbar pain persisting for 12 weeks or more, occurs in about 13% of U.S. adults. Patients with chronic low back pain should have a history and physical examination to […]