Articles: low-back-pain.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Case ReportsUsing gabapentin to treat failed back surgery syndrome caused by epidural fibrosis: A report of 2 cases.
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a long-lasting, often disabling, and relatively frequent (5%-10%) complication of lumbosacral spine surgery. Epidural fibrosis is among the most common causes of FBSS, and it is often recalcitrant to treatment. Repeated surgery for fibrosis has only a 30% to 35% success rate, whereas 15% to 20% of patients report worsening of their symptoms. ⋯ In both cases, functional status improved markedly and pain was significantly diminished. Gabapentin has an established, favorable safety profile and has been shown to be effective in various animal models and human studies of chronic neuropathic pain. Clinicians should consider gabapentin as a pharmacologic treatment alternative in the management of FBSS caused by epidural fibrosis.
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Clinical biomechanics · May 2001
Spinal manipulation causes variable spine kinematic and trunk muscle electromyographic responses.
Analytic cohort with a convenience sample in a research clinic. ⋯ This study offers some preliminary data on the short-term effects of manipulation on lumbar range of motion and dynamic electromyogram. The findings suggest that the response to manipulation is variable and dependent on the individual, with no change in some to the largest changes seen in the more pained patients. Relevance. Basic science investigations into the mechanisms and biomechanical influences of spinal manipulation are few. This study attempts to address issues of measureable functional change with manipulative therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain.
Because the value of popular forms of alternative care for chronic back pain remains uncertain, we compared the effectiveness of acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for persistent back pain. ⋯ Therapeutic massage was effective for persistent low back pain, apparently providing long-lasting benefits. Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture was relatively ineffective. Massage might be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent back pain.
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It is always gratifying to be acknowledged by a colleague and asked to give a talk in a faraway land about a topic of one's particular interest. To be invited, however, to give the Harry Farfan Presidential Lecture at the 27th Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine is, for me, a special honor and privilege. Too many years ago, when I was a very junior faculty member at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, we offered our students a course in Orthopedic Conditions. ⋯ Harry Farfan graciously agreed and provided several lectures for our students. He told them about the surgical management of problems of the lumbar spine and the necessity of treating the "whole" patient, as well as about his theory as to the cause of low back pain. At that point in time, we were not talking about quality of life as an outcome of care for our patients, but I cannot help but believe that he would keenly approve of the subject of this presentation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Active therapy for chronic low back pain part 1. Effects on back muscle activation, fatigability, and strength.
Randomized prospective study of the effects of three types of active therapy on back muscle function in chronic low back pain patients. ⋯ Significant changes in muscle performance were observed in all three active therapy groups post-therapy, which appeared to be mainly due to changes in neural activation of the lumbar muscles and psychological changes concerning, for example, motivation or pain tolerance.