The acronym MAST stands for Modic Antibiotic Spine Therapy and this self-explanatory phrase means exactly what it states. Two recently published studies in the European Spine Journal indentifying the bacteria found in patients who demonstrate Modic changes in their vertebrae as well as the highly successful treatment of these patients with antibiotics have received considerable Read More

Modic changes were first described by Dr Michael Modic in 1988. These changes can only be seen on MRI scans and are divided into Modic Changes Types 1,2 and 3. The most common development is to have Modic Changes type 1 for a few years – these changes then become type 2 and occasionally type Read More

There has been a flurry of media activity regarding Dr Hanne Albert’s recently published and ground breaking research in the treatment of a subgroup of chronic low back pain patients with antibiotics. All of these patients had demonstrable Modic changes on their MRI scans. In my opinion, Dr Albert’s study – the result of many Read More

On Tuesday 7 May 2013 a press conference was held at the Royal Society of Medicine at which the most ground breaking discovery in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lower back pain in decades was presented. The research was carried out at the University of Southern Denmark and was led by Dr Hanne Albert, Read More

Low back pain with referred pain can vary widely with regards to severity, intensity, locality and quality. It tends to be achy, dull and migratory (moves around). As opposed to true sciatica it is difficult for patients to pinpoint precisely. It also tends to come and go and often varies in intensity. It can result Read More

Most people have heard that heart attacks can result in referred pain to the jaw, shoulder or the left arm. Referred pain is also known as “reflective pain”. The International Society for the Study of Pain has developed a series of theoretical models which explain how this takes place. Commonly Observed Spinal Pain that Originates Read More

Discs lie between the bones of the spinal column (vertebra), acting as shock absorbers and helping with movement. Disc injuries are a common cause of back pain – but because they are attached to the vertebra they do not slip – instead they degenerate, tear, bulge, prolapse or herniate. The disc is made of two Read More

An illustration of the entire spinal column can be seen below. The spinal column is easily recognisable and is built up of vertebrae (bone) which are separated by discs (cartilage). The joints of the spine are at the rear and most of the muscles attach to the rear area. Pain Giving Structures Injury to the Read More

In a recent article in the Broadgate Journal, we reviewed how pain is measured and quantified in a clinical setting. This article will take a look at how clinicians are able to measure the ability of patients to manage daily activities and work – alongside their lower back pain. These measuring instruments have been developed Read More

Spinal manipulation has been practised by doctors since the time of Hippocrates. It was taught systematically to chiropractors and osteopaths for the past 100 years or so and during the past 20-30 years it has become more common for specially trained physiotherapists to carry out spinal manipulations as well. Spinal manipulation for lower back pain Read More