Low back pain is so common that 8 of 10 people experience it at some time in their lives. Although the pain in your back may be severe, most low back pain is not due to a serious problem. There are many risk factors that increase the chances of getting low back pain. As we get older, we often feel more back pain due to weakened muscles and stiffening joints. New clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of low back pain were published in the April 2012 issue of JOSPT. The guidelines describe ways to treat back pain based on best research evidence.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(4):381. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0503

KEY WORDS: exercise, LBP, manual therapy

Neck pain is very common and fortunately resolves quickly in most individuals. However, in certain cases neck pain can last longer and result in chronic pain, limited neck motion, and disability. In fact, chronic neck pain is the second leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in the United States. Treatments that can quickly reduce pain, increase motion, and improve the ability of the muscles to protect the neck may help decrease long-term disability associated with neck pain. A variety of manual therapy treatments are currently used to manage neck pain. These treatments include mobilization, which slowly and repeatedly moves the neck joints and muscles, and manipulation, which delivers a single, small, quick movement to the joints and muscles. A research report published in the January 2012 issue of JOSPT examines the outcomes of these 2 treatment methods and draws conclusions about which one is best.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(1):21. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0501

KEY WORDS: cervical spine, mobilization, spinal manipulation, thoracic spine

Neck pain is very common. In the United States, between 30% and 50% of people suffer from an aching neck each year. Although neck pain can be caused by injury, most of this pain results from more gradual stresses, such as particular sitting, standing, or work postures, lifting patterns, or sleeping positions. Typical neck pain can also cause headaches, pain between your shoulders, or a feeling of knots in your neck and upper back muscles. Although manual therapy, sometimes called "manipulation," is a common treatment for many types of spine pain, some people are uncomfortable having their necks manipulated. Recently, though, researchers have tested the benefits of a thrust manipulation of the upper back to treat neck pain. A study published in the September 2011 issue of JOSPT provides new insight and an evidence-based summary of the benefits of manipulating the upper back to ease and eliminate neck pain.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(9):643. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0506

KEY WORDS: cervical spine, manipulative therapy, manual therapy, thoracic spine

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), followed by reconstruction surgery, can be devastating for an athlete. Advances in physical therapy now help athletes improve rapidly during the early period after surgery. However, guidelines on how to determine if it is safe to return to sport are more general and vary widely. Athletes and the people who care about and for them need reliable and valid methods to determine when they are ready to return to sport. A study published in the June 2011 issue of JOSPT provides new insight and evidence-based tools to help answer this question.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(6):388. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0504

KEY WORDS: anterior cruciate ligament, hop tests, knee, prevention

Each year, about 200 000 patients decide to have a hip replacement. An important factor to consider is the recovery process following surgery. Researchers have found that most patients have decreased pain and improved ability to perform their daily activities after a hip replacement. However, what remains unknown is how long it takes to recover. In its April 2011 issue, JOSPT published a research study providing new evidence that can help you understand the time needed to recover after this surgery and how soon you will be able to walk more easily.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(4):240. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0502

KEY WORDS: hip pain, recovery