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News items on 'Backache'
Pain relief patch advert banned
(BBC 18/11/2009)
A press advert for a pain relief patch endorsed by tennis champion Virginia Wade has been banned on the grounds it could be misleading. Makers Lifes2good said five clinical studies showed the Pain Ease Patch could speed up recovery from back pain, sciatica, arthritis and fibromyalgia. But the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that the evidence was "not sufficiently robust" to justify that.
Ancient Egypt cures sore backs in Scotland
(The Scotsman 16/11/2009)
SCOTTISH clinic is the first in the UK to deploy a modern twist on an old therapy to treat patients with chronic back pain, it emerged yesterday. The technique, known as intervertebral differential dynamics (IDD) therapy, is said to employ basic principles of traction that can be traced to ancient Egypt. But unlike traditional "stretching" techniques that rely on weights, pulleys and a therapist's own muscles, IDD uses a computer-controlled machine to manipulate the spine.
'Fit notes' for back pain concern
(BBC 02/11/2009)
Government plans to introduce GP "fit notes" instead of sick notes may be unrealistic, at least in the case of back pain, say researchers. A survey of 440 GPs in Nottinghamshire found few currently took any responsibility for managing the work issues of patients with back problems. Considerable training and a change in culture will be needed for GPs to take on this role, Family Practice reported. The Royal College of GPs said the issues would be overcome. An overhaul of the sick note system was announced in March last year by Dame Carol Black, the national director for health and work, who calculated that ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year.
Warning on muscle and joint pain
(BBC 30/09/2009)
Muscle and joint pain - musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) - account for almost half of all sick leave, both in the UK and across Europe, a study has found. No less than 49% of all sickness absence is caused by MSDs, said the Fit for Work Europe report by the Work Foundation business consultancy group. It estimates that this costs the UK economy £7bn each year, rising to 240bn euros (£$349bn; £219bn) across Europe. MSDs include back pain, arthritis and repetitive strain injuries.
Eight out of 10 adults suffering aches or pains caused by new technology
(Mirror 22/07/2009)
Eight out of 10 adults suffer aches or pains caused by new technology, it was claimed yesterday. Backache and shoulder discomfort caused by using a computer or laptop is the most common ailment. A cricked neck from propping a mobile phone on the shoulder was the second most frequent injury, according to a survey of 7,333 people for Mobigel Paineze Spray.
NHS to give back pain acupuncture
(BBC 27/05/2009)
Patients with persistent low back pain should be offered acupuncture, massages or exercises on the NHS, says guidance. It is the first time the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has explicitly backed the use of complementary therapies. The rationing watchdog said evidence suggests they help and will be cost effective if doctors stop providing less proven back services like x-rays. The move was welcomed by some charities and experts but criticised by others.
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Test 'sheds light on back pain'
(BBC 08/04/2009)
Back pain is the most commonly cited reason for being absent from work. A team from Massachusetts General Hospital in the US and Addenbrooke's in the UK recruited more than 300 patients with chronic back pain. By carrying out detailed comparisons of the patients, researchers were able to formulate a set of six questions and 10 physical tests which distinguished between neuropathic (nerve damage) and other pain.
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Scans 'no aid for back pain care'
(BBC 07/02/2009)
The routine use of scans in patients with lower back pain does not improve their outcomes, US scientists say. They looked at six trials including more than 1,800 patients and found no benefit from the scans after a year's follow up. Previous studies in the UK have shown similar results. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is expected to publish guidelines in May.
Headteacher recruits physiotherapist for staff with bad backs
(Telegraph 01/01/2009)
A headteacher has recruited a physiotherapist for her school in a bid to cut the number of days staff take off because of bad backs.
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