The American Physical Therapy Association is pointing to a new study on low back pain in Medicare patients in its efforts to encourage the newly established Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to promptly launch a demonstration project on direct access to physical therapist services that was recommended in the recent health reform law. Read more »
Sharp rise in complex back surgery among older patients
The percentage of older people undergoing the complicated surgery spinal stenosis to get rid of painful lower back has increased steeply, a new study shows. Read more »
Rehab Program Gets Back Pain Patients Back to Work Sooner (HealthDay)
HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 17 (HealthDay News) -- People with chronic low back pain that keeps them away from work can recover an average of four months earlier if they take part in a specific type of rehabilitation program, a new study suggests. Read more »
Glaucoma Begins in Mid-Brain, Not in Eye, Research Shows (HealthDay)
HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- Early signs of glaucoma can be detected in the brain, according to a new study that may trigger a major change in how the disease is treated. Read more »
Competitive sports tied to teens’ back pain (Reuters)
Reuters - Years of competitive sports may raise teenagers' risk of developing lower back pain, a new study finds. Read more »
Opiate painkillers raise fracture risk (Reuters)
Reuters - Older adults who take powerful prescription painkillers known as opioids face an increased risk of bone fractures, especially at moderately high medication doses, a new study finds. Read more »
Combat wounds not the leading cause of evacuations (AP)
AP - American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to be medically evacuated for health problems such as a bad back than for combat injuries, a new study says. Read more »
Overdoses From Prescription Painkillers on the Rise (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Jan. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Overdoses from prescription painkillers are increasing in the United States, a new study shows. Read more »
Overdoses From Prescription Painkillers on the Rise (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Jan. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Overdoses from prescription painkillers are increasing in the United States, a new study shows. Read more »
Tobacco may up pain from jaw disorder (Reuters)
Reuters - Smoking and other types of tobacco use may increase the pain of temporomandibular joint disorders, a new study suggests. Read more »
