Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

Determining whether a specific lesion is responsible for a patient’s symptoms is crucial when selecting candidates for potential spinal surgery. However, there isn’t always a direct correlation between radicular pain and lumbar disc herniation. One can exist without the other, making diagnosis complex. Both mechanical compression and inflammatory factors contribute to the pathogenesis of sciatica. Additionally, non-radicular or pseudoradicular pain can originate from the hip, … Continue reading Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

How do patient expectations affect outcomes in manual therapy for low back pain?

In 2011, a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, conducted by Mark D. Bishop, Joel E. Bialosky, and Josh A. Cleland, sheds light on the role of patient expectations in the treatment of low back pain (LBP). The study aimed to explore patient expectations regarding various common interventions for LBP and to assess how these expectations influence self-reported disability outcomes, particularly focusing on spinal manipulation … Continue reading How do patient expectations affect outcomes in manual therapy for low back pain?

Can anesthesia provide true blinding for spinal manipulation therapy? A breakthrough study reveals

In a groundbreaking study conducted at the University of Alberta Hospital, researchers have discovered a method to achieve true blinding for subjects undergoing spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). In 2009, led by Gregory N Kawchuk and his team, the study aimed to determine if short-duration anesthesia could effectively mask subjects’ awareness of whether they received SMT or not. Published in the Archives of physical medicine and … Continue reading Can anesthesia provide true blinding for spinal manipulation therapy? A breakthrough study reveals

Can lumbar spine manipulation influence flexion-relaxation response in low back pain?

In 2009, a study conducted by Kim Lalanne, Danik Lafond, and Martin Descarreaux, the effects of spinal manipulation on the flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRR) in individuals suffering from chronic low back pain were examined. The objective of the study was to evaluate how spinal manipulation influences the spatiotemporal parameters of the FRR. Twenty-seven adults with chronic low back pain participated in the study. They were divided … Continue reading Can lumbar spine manipulation influence flexion-relaxation response in low back pain?

Which treatment strategy reigns economically: Brief pain management program vs. physical therapy for low back pain?

Current guidelines advocate for early intervention addressing psychosocial factors linked to long-term disability in acute low back pain cases. In 2007, Whitehurst, et. al., conducted study which aimed to evaluate the cost utility and effectiveness of a brief pain management program (BPM) targeting psychosocial factors compared to physical therapy (PT) for patients with low back pain in primary care, lasting less than 12 weeks. In … Continue reading Which treatment strategy reigns economically: Brief pain management program vs. physical therapy for low back pain?