Back Pain News and Research

Latest Back Pain News and Research

Combat injuries are not the leading cause of medical evacuation from war zones

The most common reasons for medical evacuation of military personnel from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years have been fractures, tendonitis and other musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, not combat injuries, according to results of a Johns Hopkins study published January 22 in The Lancet.

22 Jan 2010

$SIR supports use of vertebral augmentation for patients with spine fractures$

SIR supports use of vertebral augmentation for patients with spine fractures

Given the current controversy over vertebroplasty-a minimally invasive treatment performed by interventional radiologists in individuals with painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures that fail to respond to conventional medical therapy-what's a patient to do?

20 Jan 2010

Sitting in reclined position may help alleviate back pain

Here's some news that 80 percent of the U.S. population should take sitting down. According to a nationwide survey, a majority (68 percent) of primary care physicians say they are likely to recommend that a patient sit in a reclined position to help alleviate back pain – a suggestion that should come as welcome news to the 8 out of every 10 Americans who will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

20 Jan 2010

Taking opioids long term could hold small risk of addition

Coping with chronic non-cancer pain is a way of life for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many older adults, in particular, hesitate to take opioids — a kind of narcotic — for fear of addiction. However, a new review finds that taking opioids long term is associated with clinically significant pain relief in some patients with a very small risk of addition.

20 Jan 2010

Study examines how opioid overdose differs by prescribed dose for chronic pain conditions

More and more Americans with chronic pain not caused by cancer are taking medically prescribed opioids like Oxycontin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone). The January 19 Annals of Internal Medicine features the first study to explore the risk of overdose in patients prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain in general health care.

19 Jan 2010

Risks associated with opioid pain medications may outweigh surgery risks

Despite limited evidence of long-term success in using opioid pain medications for chronic low back pain, opioid prescribing has increased in recent years for back pain and other non-cancer pain indications.

18 Jan 2010

Massage, manipulation and other hands-on approaches can reduce chronic pain

The January issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource discusses the uses and benefits of massage, spinal manipulation, and Rolfing, as well as the Alexander technique and the Feldenkrais method

18 Jan 2010

New breakthroughs in AS genome-wide association study

Work done in part by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has led to the discovery of two new genes that are implicated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory and potentially disabling disease. In addition, the international research team pinpointed two areas along stretches of DNA that play an important role in regulating gene activity associated with the arthritic condition.

10 Jan 2010

Exercise, nutrition and hormone optimization are key to improve men's health issues

Grant Mansell was 46 and frustrated with his 300 pound physique, ensuing back pain, rising cholesterol, dependency on blood pressure medicine but most of all not enjoying life with his wife and children.

8 Jan 2010

VELCADE sNDA receives FDA approval

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for VELCADE, which expands the label to include long-term (median follow-up 36.7 months) overall survival (OS) data from the landmark VISTA trial and provides specific dosing recommendations for patients with hepatic impairment. The VISTA trial examined the use of VELCADE based therapy in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM).

5 Jan 2010

ESS improves quality of life in CRS patients

Upwards of 76 percent of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) experienced significant quality of life (QOL) improvements after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), according to new research in the January 2010 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

3 Jan 2010

TENS therapy is not effective against chronic low-back pain

A new guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a widely used pain therapy involving a portable device, is not recommended to treat chronic low-back pain that has persisted for three months or longer because research shows it is not effective.

31 Dec 2009

Eli Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America to co-promote LIVALO in the U.S

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), Kowa Company, Limited, and Kowa's U.S. subsidiary, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., today announced that Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America have entered into a co-promotion agreement in the United States to commercialize LIVALO® (pitavastatin). Lilly and Kowa have also entered into a licensing agreement in Latin America. LIVALO is a statin approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

24 Dec 2009

Back pain problems continue to rise in U.S.

The Bonati Spine Institute, the leader in minimally invasive laser spine surgery, reports the results of studies that Americans are increasingly reporting back pain and spending more on back pain, but cautions consumers to carefully research the experience and the surgical outcome results when choosing their spine team.

23 Dec 2009

Emisphere's oral salmon calcitonin product addresses persistent musculoskeletal pain

Emisphere Technologies, Inc. today announced a meta-analysis published in the December 2009 edition of Rheumatology Reports examining independent evidence of the analgesic action of the hormone calcitonin. This publication restates the potential of calcitonin in filling a significant unmet need for alternative treatments for persistent musculoskeletal pain.

22 Dec 2009

Medtronic launches its SOVEREIGN Spinal System in the U.S.

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the U.S. launch of the SOVEREIGN™ Spinal System.

18 Dec 2009

Initial data from REVLIMID Phase III trial in multiple myeloma patients announced

Celgene Corporation today announced the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, reported initial data from a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical study led by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB).

18 Dec 2009

European CHMP announces positive opinion for Amgen's Prolia marketing authorization

Amgen Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced a positive opinion for the marketing authorization of Prolia((TM)) (denosumab) for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fractures, and for the treatment of bone loss associated with hormone ablation in men with prostate cancer at increased risk of fractures.

18 Dec 2009

Interleukin Genetics introduces the Bone Health Genetic Test

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today availability of the Bone Health Genetic Test designed to detect genetic patterns associated with the development of osteoporosis-related outcomes. The test determines an individual's risk for developing vertebral or spinal fractures and low bone mineral density.

17 Dec 2009

ASA offers practical ways for sufferers to take active role in treatment of pain

Whether the result of injury, illness or a chronic condition, 70 million Americans experience pain annually. The individual pain sufferer may experience a diminished quality of life, lack of mobility and added stress.

17 Dec 2009