EA for cLBP

Inspired by Kong J-T et al 2020.[1] Photo by Sam Burriss on Unsplash.Non-white race was associated with a greater degree of pain reduction following EA for cLBP. EA – electroacupuncturecLBP – chronic low back painPROMIS – patient reported outcome measurement information systemNIH – National Institute of Health (US)RMDQ – Roland Morris disability questionnaireQST – quantitative … Continue reading EA for cLBP

Adrenaline Athletes and Acupuncture

Stimulated by Arriaga-Pizano et al 2020.[1] Image by Cesar Marquez on Unsplash. This paper was published online on 20th May, and it took me a while before I had a closer look and discovered that it is really quite unique. It was a subsequent paper published a week later, a systematic review of acupuncture in low back pain … Continue reading Adrenaline Athletes and Acupuncture

Spinal epidural haematomas 2020

Stimulated by Chen et al.[1] Photo by Joyce McCown on Unsplash. This paper was published last month and has been waiting in the wings, so to speak. I was intrigued by the reference to mimicking stroke in the title. I was also under the impression that I had highlighted this adverse event before, but on checking, the previous … Continue reading Spinal epidural haematomas 2020

Phantom acupuncture for back pain

Stimulated by Lee et al 2019 & Wei et al 2019.[1,2] Photo by Brad Lloyd on Unsplash. Back pain was a regular topic on this blog at its inception in March 2016 – around the time that the draft of NG59 was published. NG59 is the current NICE guideline for back pain and sciatica, although … Continue reading Phantom acupuncture for back pain

Retroperitoneal abscess with pylephlebitis

Stimulated by Lee et al 2019.[1] Photo by Anton Nikolov on Unsplash.My favourite place to get images is Unsplash. It doesn’t have anything on the retroperitoneum or abscesses, so I went with loin, and then kidney, and found this lovely image of a kidney shaped lake. The title may sound to you like another adverse … Continue reading Retroperitoneal abscess with pylephlebitis

Initial healthcare provider and opioid use in LBP?

Stimulated by Kazis et al 2019.[1] Photo by Aiony Haust on Unsplash.This photo was chosen to represent opioids being used on back pain because the first naturally occurring opioids were discovered in a flower. Yes, it is a shame (for my purposes here) that this artistic photographer did not use poppies :-). I am sure … Continue reading Initial healthcare provider and opioid use in LBP?

Laparoscopic needle fragment removal 2019

Stimulated by Liu et al 2019.[1] Photo by Idella on Unsplash.This image is chosen to illustrate the phrase 'like trying to find a needle in a haystack', and it reminds me of the difficulties surgeons used to have in finding embedded foreign bodies. This is a noteworthy case because it is the first report I … Continue reading Laparoscopic needle fragment removal 2019