Back pain one of leading causes of disability

It is easy for some who have never had a severe or chronic back disorder to think it is not a serious problem, maybe because back disorders do not kill anyone...well at least not directly. The reality is that low back and neck disorders are the 2nd most common cause of disability in the developed countries after ischemic heart disease, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study published in the Lancet.
Does this surprise anyone?How Back Pain Took Over the WorldB

NSAIDs and Heart Attack Risk

A study from the Sept issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology that looked at 7,742 people with osteoarthritis found that those that took NSAID drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs such ibuprofen and aspirin) were at 41 percent increased risk for suffering heart attacks, heart failure and strokes, compared to arthritis patients who did not take NSAIDs. Although many other studies have linked NSAIDs to heart attacks, this was the first to link it to people with osteoarthritis taking NSAID's.
Do you see that this is another reason to try chiropractic or other manual treatments before resorting to drugs?NSAIDs and Heart Attack Risk

Even light activity is healthier than previously thought, new studies show

Two new studies with one from Harvard University show several surprising findings, including that light exercise has even more benefits in decreased mortality than previously thought. As a doctor board certified in rehabilitation I will be sharing these findings with my patients. I am always encouraging them to be more active even when they have very painful conditions because we now know that a little activity can go a long way!
Does this surprise anyone?Even light activity is healthier than previously thought, new studies show

New research shows marathoners have less arthritis than non-runners

Many people have heard that higher mileage running is bad for the knees and increases the chance of arthritis. There has never been any good evidenceto support that contention. A new study from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery showed that long term marathoners had half the incidence of knee and hip osteoarthritis as matched controls of non runners.
Does this surprise anyone?
New research shows marathoners have less arthritis than non-runners

Feeling sleep-deprived? Doctors and police officers are too, study says

A newly released study from Indiana's Ball State University says one-third of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep is associated with numerous mental and physical health problems.
Feeling sleep-deprived? Doctors and police officers are too, study says

JAMA Study: Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids in Improving Pain-Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA

Another comparison study showing no differences in long term outcomes using opioids vs non-opioid drugs for chronic back pain, hip/knee osteoarthritis.
I have seen several of these comparison studies showing no better outcomes in the opioid groups. Does this surprise anyone?JAMA Study: Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids in Improving Pain-Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA

Using chiropractors to reduce lower back pain

Here is a recent video interview of a professor from Logan Chiropractic College. He notes that the average age of the onset of back disorders is 32 and unfortunately the average age to begin chiropactic care is 47. He also mentions the recent study showing that in a chiropractic treatment group there was a 49% reduction in opioid use.
Using chiropractors to reduce lower back pain