| Article
Conclusions from a double-blind randomized clinical trial suggest that low-dose amitriptyline may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic low back pain. The study found that, although it did not significantly improve patients’ pain levels, use of the antidepressant did reduce disability, and...
| Article
Researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with an international team have identified 3 novel genetic variants that are associated with increased risk for chronic back pain. The discovery may help to inform a better understanding of the biology of back pain, as well as...
| Article
Researchers from Northwestern University report that they have identified psychological and physiological characteristics that are associated with greater responsiveness to placebo effect in the modulation of pain. Study author A. Vania Apkarian, PhD, professor of physiology at Northwestern’s...
| Article
A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers updated data on the estimated prevalence of chronic pain in America. The report summarizes conclusions from a 2016 survey conducted in fulfillment of a National Pain...
| Podcast
New paradigms of patient care postsurgery (such as spinal surgery) utilizing both pre- and postoperative multimodal approaches to analgesia, nonopioid medications specifically, will be discussed. Included in the course will be presurgical and immediate postoperative medications, and both acute and...
| Podcast
Lower back pain is the most common reason to see a physician for pain and the number one cause of disability. Some patients with lower back pain eventually require spinal surgery. Unfortunately, 20% to 40% of these patients will develop failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS or FBS) after the first...
| Article
Findings from a recent study offer confirming support for the efficacy of 2 forms of telehealth-delivered interventions for the management of chronic back pain. The study was led by researchers from VA San Diego Healthcare System and the University of California, San Diego, in collaboration with...
| Article
Spinal pain is very difficult to diagnose, the more so as patients get older. They present with different things on their MRI, different findings on exam, and they’ve had chronic pain for many years. Unfortunately, a lot of the physical exam and history findings are very generalizable, so it’s hard...
| Video
Up to 40% of patients who undero spinal surgery for lower back pain will develop postlaminectomy syndrome, or failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Dr. Josihi outlines the pathology, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options that primary care should know about.
| Article
A new study appearing in the Journal of Biomechanics has identified weak core muscles as a risk factor for the development of chronic back pain in runners. The research was conducted by a team from the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center using force measuring floor plates and motion detection...