Stainless steal rods and screws are used in the common scoliosis surgery known as instrumented spinal arthrodesis. However, the stainless steal implants may expose patients to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals, say scientists. The researchers conducted blood tests on three groups of people. Group 1 included 30 patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis for scoliosis. Group [...]

A meta-analysis concludes that in-school scoliosis screenings are insufficient. The study’s authors explain that “the use of school scoliosis screening is controversial, and its clinical effectiveness has been diversely reported.” Consequently, they pooled data from 36 scientific inquiries on the topic. “Studies were included if: (1) they adopted a retrospective cohort design; (2) were screened [...]

Probiotic supplementation quells colic in babies, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. Investigators followed 46 exclusively breastfed infants with colic. Of these, 25 were given the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), while 21 were given a placebo. Mothers of both groups were instructed to not drink cow’s milk during the study period. Treatment [...]

For patients with fibromyalgia, tai chi is more effective than conventional stretching, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. As part of the experiment, 33 people with fibromyalgia took tai chi lessons for 3 months. The 1 hour lessons took place twice per week. Patients were also instructed to practice at [...]

College students who use heavier backpacks are significantly more likely to suffer low-back pain, compared with their peers who use lighter backpacks. These findings were published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. As part of the analysis 465 students at Colorado State University completed online surveys. Findings showed that “a 25% increase in [...]

A novel school-based posture analysis method successful identifies postural problems in children. According to the report, “the study was conducted on a convenience sample of 273 male students between 10 and 13 years old. Each subject was photographed in habitual standing posture, 3 times in a front view and 3 times in a side view. [...]

People with hip osteoarthritis (OA) who are waiting to undergo hip arthroplasty may benefit from chiropractic care, say researchers. The study followed 14 patients waiting to undergo hip arthroplasty. Half of the group received chiropractic care, while the other half received no additional treatment. The intervention lasted three weeks. On overage, those receiving chiropractic had [...]

Treating back pain cost Americans more than $30 billion in 2007 — up from $16 billion in 1997 (in 2007 dollars), according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. According to the analysis, in 2007 about 27 million people, or nearly 12% of adults age 18 and older, [...]

Bisphenol A, or BPA is found in many plastic bottles, toys, food liners and other products. Exposure to BPA in the womb and early life may cause long-lasting harm to testicular function, according to a new study conducted in animals. The results were presented Monday at The Endocrine Society’s 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego. [...]

Results of a recent review of nine studies add to brewing evidence that drinking coffee protects against cancer, this time against head and neck cancer. Study participants who drank four or more cups of coffee a day, compared with those who were non-drinkers, had a 39% decreased risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancers combined. [...]