Therapy, surgery similar for back pain relief
LISBON, June 20 (Reuters Health) - A Norwegian study has shown that patients with chronic lower back pain get as much benefit from behavioural therapy as they do from spinal fusion surgery. full story »

Rapid MRI no better than X-ray for back pain: study
NEW YORK, June 03 (Reuters Health) - An imaging technique known as rapid MRI may offer no benefit beyond conventional X-rays in diagnosing many cases of lower back pain, according to a report released Tuesday. full story »

Achy back? Studies say no single therapy stands out
NEW YORK, June 02 (Reuters Health) - Spinal manipulation, the back pain treatment most commonly offered by chiropractors, is no better or worse for treating low back pain than conventional treatments, such as exercise, pain killers and physical therapy, a team of doctors announced Monday. full story »

Back pain linked to brain shrinkage, study suggests
NEW YORK, March 21 (Reuters Health) - People with chronic back pain may experience shrinkage in the 'thinking' part of the brain, according to preliminary results of a small study presented this week at a meeting of the American Pain Society in Chicago. full story »

On-the-job back pain influenced by social climate
NEW YORK, February 20 (Reuters Health) - While repeated heavy lifting and straining can indeed increase the risk of job-related back pain, new research suggests that an unpleasant workplace environment can also damage workers' backs. full story »

Spinal curvature not life-threatening: US study
CHICAGO, February 05 (Reuters) - Curvature of the spine, or scoliosis, may lead to chronic back pain for many but it is not a serious threat to health, researchers said on Tuesday. full story »

Long hours behind wheel don't damage spine: study
NEW YORK, October 16 2002 (Reuters Health) - Road trips can take a toll on the back, but new study findings suggest that even years of professional driving may not speed permanent degeneration in the spine. full story »

Music may soothe the savage backache
SAN DIEGO, California, September 09 (Reuters Health) - While music is thought to soothe the savage beast, a new study suggests it might come in handy when taming that bad back as well, according to a study presented recently by Austrian researchers at the 10th World Congress on Pain. full story »