People with diabetes have a 35 percent higher risk of experiencing low back pain and 24 percent higher risk of having neck pain than those without diabetes, researchers have found after a review of relevant studies.

Most adults experience low back pain during their lives and almost half suffer neck pain at some stage. Diabetes is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition; an estimated 382 million people live with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of this metabolic disease. There was insufficient evidence in the review to establish a causal relationship between diabetes and back or neck pain, but the study’s findings indicate there is more research to be done.

Type 2 diabetes and low back pain both have a strong relationship with obesity and lack of physical activity, so a logical progression of this research might be to examine these factors in more detail. This analysis adds to the evidence that weight control and physical activity play fundamental roles in health maintenance.

The review also found that diabetes medication could influence pain, possibly via its effect on blood glucose levels, and this connection should also be investigated. It also recommended that health care professionals consider screening for unknown diabetes in patients seeking care for neck pain or low back pain.

Whatever the cause, sufferers of back pain should be aware that hands-on, medication-free chiropractic care has provided relief from low back pain to vast numbers of satisfied patients.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.