Magnesium reduces postoperative back painEffect of perioperative intravenous magnesium sulfate on postoperative pain after iliac venous stenting.
We explored the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate (MS) in relieving low back pain (LBP) for patients who underwent iliac venous stenting. This study involved 97 patients, divided into two groups: one received MS infusion during their surgery, while the other did not.
Patients who received MS experienced significantly lower pain levels at all follow-up intervals. We found that, at 24 hours after surgery, those in the magnesium group consumed much less tramadol—a common pain medication—compared to the control group. Additionally, the need for extra pain relief was lower among those who received magnesium.
Importantly, the side effects like nausea and vomiting were similar in both groups, indicating that magnesium can be a safe option for pain management after this type of surgery. Overall, the findings suggest that magnesium sulfate not only alleviates pain but also reduces reliance on opioids, making it a valuable treatment for postoperative care.
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Magnesium therapy aids back painA double-blinded randomised controlled study of the value of sequential intravenous and oral magnesium therapy in patients with chronic low back pain with a neuropathic component.
We conducted a double-blind study to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium therapy for chronic low back pain that has a neuropathic component. Our research involved 80 patients, all of whom were already engaged in physical therapy and taking medications like anticonvulsants and antidepressants.
Among the participants, we divided them into two groups: one group received a placebo for six weeks, while the other group was treated with a two-week intravenous magnesium infusion followed by four weeks of oral magnesium supplements.
The results were promising for those in the magnesium group. By the end of the study, their pain intensity decreased significantly, with scores dropping from an average of 7.5 to 4.7 over six months. Additionally, we observed notable improvements in their lumbar spine mobility, suggesting that magnesium therapy could be beneficial for those suffering from this type of chronic pain.
Overall, our findings indicate that sequential intravenous and oral magnesium treatment can effectively ease pain and enhance mobility in individuals with refractory low back pain featuring a neuropathic aspect.
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Magnesium's role in back pain reliefSupplementation with alkaline minerals reduces symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain.
We investigated whether supplementation with alkaline minerals could ease chronic low back pain. In a study with 82 participants, those who took a lactose-based alkaline multimineral supplement for four weeks reported a significant 49% reduction in pain scores.
We also noted an increase in blood buffering capacity and pH, indicating an improved acid-base balance. Although intracellular magnesium levels increased, plasma magnesium slightly decreased, suggesting that while the supplementation helped alleviate pain, it didn't significantly impact magnesium levels overall.
This study highlights the potential benefits of correcting acid-base balance to reduce low back pain symptoms.
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Omega-3s reduce disc degenerationOmega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Reduces Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.
We aimed to find out how docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a key omega-3 fatty acid, could affect intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, a common cause of lower back pain. In our study, we used a group of 12 rats, all of whom underwent a procedure to induce disc degeneration.
After the injury, half of the rats were given a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids, while the other half received only a sugar solution as control. Over the course of the study, we measured various outcomes related to inflammation and disc health.
We observed that the omega-3 group showed a significant reduction in blood markers associated with inflammation. Additionally, the results indicated that those receiving DHA were less affected by disc dehydration, and the tissue damage due to the induced injury was noticeably less severe in this group.
Overall, this suggests that increasing our intake of omega-3 fatty acids, like DHA, may offer protective effects against the degeneration of intervertebral discs and could potentially ease back pain related to this condition.
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Omega-3s reduce dysmenorrhea painEffect of Clupeonella grimmi (anchovy/kilka) fish oil on dysmenorrhoea.
We conducted a clinical trial to assess whether omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), could alleviate back pain associated with dysmenorrhea in young women. Our study involved 36 participants aged 18 to 22, who were divided into two groups. One group received a daily dose of fish oil containing DHA while the other received a placebo over three months.
After the supplementation, we observed a notable reduction in pain levels, as measured by a visual analogue scale. The fish oil group reported a score of 20.9, significantly lower than the 61.8 from the placebo group, showcasing a clear advantage of the fish oil treatment. Moreover, participants experienced a marked reduction in both back and abdominal pain.
Those taking the fish oil also needed fewer rescue doses of ibuprofen, suggesting that DHA may play a beneficial role in managing pain symptoms. However, it’s important to note that while our findings indicate a reduction in pain, distinguishing the isolated effect of DHA from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was not possible in this study, as both were present in the fish oil used.
Overall, we found that dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3s could be a promising approach for young women suffering from dysmenorrhea-related back pain, although further studies might be necessary to explore the specific contributions of each fatty acid.
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