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Pain: how much is in the mind?
A study by Luis Buenaver and colleagues published in the June edition of Pain has shown some fascinating links between pain, thinking and sleep. It’s already known that about 80% of people with chronic pain experience troubled sleep and that poor sleep increases pain sensitivity. It is also known that pain catastrophizing is a contributor…
Can Antibiotics Cure Low Back Pain?
Last week I picked up a copy of Metro and came across an article entitled “Back pain ‘cured with a £114 dose of antibiotics’”. The story has also been covered by theguardian, The Times and the NHS. It’s based on the results of 2 studies published in the European Spine Journal by Hanne B Albert…
Loving-Kindness Meditation Slows Aging
A recent study by Le Nguyen et al. published in Psychoneuroendocrinology has looked at the effect of loving-kindness meditation on telomore length. Loving-Kindness is a Buddhist meditation that focuses on sending good wishes and kindness to ourselves and others by silently repeating a series of mantras. Telomeres sit at the end of chromosomes and protect…
Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Health
A New Scientist article published last year delves into the exciting potential of the vagus nerve to transform health. The vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body, acts as a superhighway, connecting the brain to numerous organs like the heart, lungs, and stomach. Recent research is unveiling its crucial role in regulating various bodily…
The Physiology of Sleep
Sleep is a crucial aspect of human biology, with significant impacts on overall health and wellbeing. There are two main stages of sleep, NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement), each with their own distinct characteristics and benefits. During NREM sleep, the body secretes hormones such as: During REM sleep, the body secretes…
Why Is Calcific Tendinitis So Painful?
There are a couple of shoulder conditions that can be extremely painful. One is adhesive capsulitis, better known as frozen shoulder, and the other is calcific tendinitis. Calcific tendinitis is characterised by the formation of calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder. A few months ago Hackett et al from the University…

