What to know about the sciatic nerve and vitamin deficiency
Certain nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, and magnesium deficiency, may contribute to or worsen sciatic nerve pain.
Electrical stimulation offers hope for treating spinal injuries
A grid of electrodes placed on the backs of study participants delivered enough low-voltage electrical stimulation through the skin to change the short-term function of spinal cord neurons, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers showed. Their findings, published in the Journal of Neural Engineering, could lead to new approaches to treat pain, spasticity, and paralysis in patients, including those with spinal cord injuries and stroke, the authors said.
What to know about lower back problems when running
Running is not typically related to higher-than-usual incidences of lower back pain. However, excessive running without sufficient recovery time, improper running form, and other factors may contribute to lower back problems.
Minimally invasive disc injection reduces pain and improves function in chronic back pain, feasibility study finds
VIVEX Biologics, Inc. sponsored research reports positive outcomes for patients with chronic lumbar discogenic pain treated using a single intradiscal injection of VIA Disc NP, an allogeneic nucleus pulposus product derived from cadaveric disc tissue.
Robotics and spinal stimulation restore movement in paralysis
Scientists have developed an approach that combines rehabilitation robotics with spinal cord stimulation to restore movement in people with spinal cord injuries. The technology enhances rehabilitation and enables activities like cycling and walking outdoors.
Neck strength testing should be included in concussion prevention
Griffith University researchers have found weaker neck strength is a risk factor for concussion and higher head impacts in rugby league, rugby union, and soccer athletes.
How to strengthen the lower back
Strengthening and stretching exercises for the lower back can help stabilize the lower spine and support the upper body. Examples include the plank and knee-to-chest stretches.
Q&A: To understand low back pain, researchers look closely at how male and female bodies move
Anyone who suffers from chronic low back pain knows how difficult it can be to manage, and how quickly it can turn the most ordinary activity into a daunting prospect. Nonspecific and difficult to pinpoint anatomically, its root causes often elude treatment and can result in a strikingly broad range of impairments.
Why You Get Neck Pain From Sleeping Wrong (and How to Fix It)
Neck pain from sleeping wrong is often caused by muscle strain. This may be the result of sleeping on the stomach, using a pillow that's too high, an injury, or sleep issues. If you wake up with neck pain, treatments include cold or heat therapy, stretching, massage, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Sleeping in a neutral position can help prevent neck pain in the future.
Mediterranean diet and exercise may slow bone loss in aging women
A three-year lifestyle intervention based on a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity helped mitigate age-related bone mineral density loss in older women with metabolic syndrome, according to researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and collaborators in the PREDIMED-Plus consortium.