Fight Off Back Aches Pains This Winter With Extra Vitamin D

It's no wonder that many people feel extra soreness and aches in their backs during winter months -- they're often not getting enough vitamin D. The body makes vitamin D from the sun's ultraviolet rays, so it's known as the sunshine vitamin. However, even in the sunniest parts of America, this essential vitamin for keeping bones healthy is in short supply during late fall and winter. Up to 8 out of 10 persons will have back pain in their lifetimes. In many cases, there is no evidence of any injury, disease, or bone problem like a slipped disk. An extensive review of clinical research in a report from Pain Treatment Topics found that help may be available from a surprising champion of pain relief Vitamin D.

Discovery Of Thoracic Spine Abnormality Resolves Undiagnosed Pain Primarily In Younger Women

The discovery of a multi-level arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the thoracic epidural space can now bring relief to potentially thousands of suffers of chronic thoracic pain and progressive myelopothy. Identified as thoracic epidural arteriovenous malformation (T.E.A.M.), this particular AMV primarily affects younger women ages 20 to 40. While AVMs are rare, affecting approximately 300, 000 people, according to the National Institutes of Health, AVMs in this particular multi-level location have previously not been documented in medical literature. Symptoms of this condition include severe pain in the middle back area extending to the chest, loss of function and coordination of the lower extremities, hyperreflexia, muscle spasms and severe pain at night.

NHS Institute Launches Focus On: Musculoskeletal Interface Services

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has launched a new publication to support the NHS in improving community-based access to specialist services for patients suffering from musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as chronic back pain, osteoporosis and other bone, joint, spinal and muscular diseases. The publication, Focus On: Musculoskeletal Interface Services, highlights the key characteristics of best practice for MSK interface services and is aimed at commissioner and provider organisations aiming to set up an MSK interface service or develop an existing service. The improvements in MSK interface services detailed in the document have the potential to allow services to be redesigned to provide more care in the community and free up significant capacity in secondary care.

Yoga May Be Effective For Chronic Low Back Pain In Minority Populations

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center found that yoga may be more effective than standard treatment for reducing chronic low back pain in minority populations. This study appears in the November issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. Low back pain is common in the United States, resulting in substantial disability and cost to society. Individuals from low-income, minority backgrounds with chronic low back pain (CLBP) may be more affected due to disparities in access to treatment. Although many CLBP patients seek relief from complementary therapies such as yoga, use of these approaches are less common among minorities and individuals with lower incomes or less education.