Dr Ian Ellis-Jones ... Living Mindfully Now

NOTE. This blog is in recess. Nevertheless, you will find here over 500 of my posts exploring many aspects of spirituality, mindfulness, psychology, philosophy, literature and the performing arts. A member of the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, I lectured at the NSW Institute of Psychiatry (now the mental health portfolio of HETI) for 14 years and at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) for 16 years. Mindfully yours, Ian Ellis-Jones PhD. 26 July 2021.

Showing posts with label Mindfulness and Back Pain. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

HAVE YOU TRIED MINDFULNESS FOR YOUR BACK PAIN?

To date, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has not been rigorously evaluated for young and middle-aged adults with chronic low back pain.

A recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reports on a trial which compared treatment with MBSR with usual care as well as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

In a study of 342 adults aged 20-70, randomly and equally allocated to each treatment group and having suffered with back pain for an average of 7.3 years, those given mindfulness training found it easier to get out of chairs, go upstairs and had less pain than those given usual care.

In the MBSR group, 61 per cent felt more able to move around without pain than the 44 per cent who carried on with their usual care. CBT was equally as good as MBSR at reducing pain. The effects lasted for at least a year.

Among adults with chronic low back pain, treatment with MBSR or CBT, compared with usual care, resulted in greater improvement in back pain and functional limitations at 26 weeks, with no significant differences in outcomes between MBSR and CBT.

These findings suggest that MBSR may be an effective treatment option for patients with chronic low back pain.

Study: Cherkin, Daniel C et al. ‘Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Usual Care on Back Pain and Functional Limitations in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.’ JAMA. 2016;315(12):1240-1249. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.2323.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION CAN REDUCE THE SENSATION OF PAIN

IRISH STUDY SUPPORTS THE USE OF MINDFULNESS FOR CHRONIC PAIN

MINDFUL STRETCHING FOR NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN AND ASSOCIATED HEADACHES

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blog. In Australia, for immediate advice or support call Lifeline on 13 1 1 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and for information, advice and referral on mental illness contact the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or go online via sane.org. In other countries, call the relevant mental health care emergency hotline or simply dial your emergency assistance telephone number and ask for help.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

‘OH, MY ACHING BACK!’---WELL, HAVE YOU TRIED MINDFULNESS?

Back pain--and, in particular, low back pain--has been said to be the single leading cause of disability worldwide. As many as 80 per cent of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives. In addition, about 50 per cent of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year, and that figure seems to hold good for most other Western nations as well.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper respiratory tract infections. I have read that Americans spend more than $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.

Well, new research reveals that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may do as much as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to calm the catastrophizing thought patterns of people with chronic back pain.

This may well be the best news many back pain sufferers have had for some time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on this blogspot is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blogspot. For immediate advice or support call Lifeline on 13 1 1 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For information, advice and referral on mental illness contact the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) go online via sane.org