Inexpensive drug appears to relieve fibromyalgia pain in Stanford pilot study

For Tara Campbell, the onset of her fibromyalgia began slowly with repeated sore throats, fevers and fatigue. By the time she was diagnosed, a year later, she had become so debilitated by flulike symptoms and exhaustion that she often couldn’t get off the couch all day.

“Fall, a year ago, I hit my very, very worst,” said Campbell, 39, of Walnut Creek, Calif. “I felt overall pain to the point…

Controversy over hand surgery for RA patients

More than 2 million Americans with Rheumatoid Arthritis are caught in the middle of a debate among physicians over which treatment – medications or hand surgery – will help their ravaged fingers and wrists most.

And a new University of Michigan Health System study finds that entrenched attitudes and lack of communication among Rheumatologists and Hand Surgeons, and a scarcity of data compari…

Massage

Massage is the most fundamental of all healing techniques and the profession of massage has been practiced since time immemorial. It was indeed one of the most effective and important forms of relaxation and sports medicine available to ancient civilizations, and still is today.

What is massage therapy?

It’s a hands-on approach for the evaluation and application of various techniques to t…

The hidden benefits of exercise

Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases

As millions of Americans flock to the gym armed with New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, medical experts are offering an additional reason to exercise.

Regular workouts may help fight off colds and flu, reduce the risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases and slow the process of aging. …

Magnets successfully used to treat pain

The use of magnets in therapy is attracting a lot more attention these days as ongoing research proves magnetic fields do have an effect on the body.

Multiple studies at major US Universities all show limited, yet potentially important, medical uses for magnets on a host of ailments. Investigators in 3 studies at Brown University, (Providence, Rhode Island) Baylor College of Medicine, (Houst…

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)

We’d like to bring to your attention information about a very debilitating condition at the request of Caroline – one of Bad Backs subscribers. I’m sure very few of us have heard of this serious condition.

Cauda Equine Syndrome (CES) can be difficult to diagnose. It’s rare and its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. Often the sufferer can no longer work due to the severe pain, loss of …

Brain training being tested as a revolutionary treatment for back pain

A Sydney-based research organisation named Neura is behind a trial aiming to test whether brain training is an effective treatment for back pain. Aptly named, RESOLVE, this medical trial is testing whether applying electricity to the brain will do more to reduce chronic pain than working only with the musculoskeletal system.