The association of initial healthcare provider for new-onset low back pain with early and long-term opioid use

A new study published in BMJ Open, an online publication of the British Medical Journal, examined the association of initial provider treatment with early and long-term opioid use in a national sample of patients with new-onset low back pain (LBP). The study evaluated outpatient and inpatient claims from patient visits, pharmacy claims and inpatient and outpatient procedures with initial providers seen for new-onset LBP.

Tastes Like Chicken

I was so sheltered when I was growing up. Food sheltered that is. Our meals consisted of many things that were grown on my grandparents’ farm, including the beef from Papaw’s cows. But, the chicken, turkey, and pork came from the grocery store.

What's in Your Pocket?

There is a commercial for a credit card company that asks, “What’s in your wallet?” I could take some time to tell you, but I’ll let you in on a clue—it’s not money. Instead, I will tell you what is, or at least what used to be, in my pocket.
Which pocket, you ask. Let’s start with the right pants pocket. In one of my doctoral classes at Lincoln Memorial University we were assigned to share the contents of our pockets, but not our identities. From those contents, we were then supposed to try to determine what we could about the owner.

"Far over the waves"

"Far over the waves. I hear his sweet voice calling me." I first heard this old hymn when I took Hawaiian guitar lessons back in 1940. As I have said before, we were not church-going people. The words were so peaceful with a simple melody. Yeah right. But not when I tried to play it on my student guitar. The "waves" were generally choppy then.

ICARE Job Opening

This is a Program Coordinator Position. It is a Federal Grant filtered through the Board of Education. The person we hire will be contracted by the BOE, therefore, will not receive any benefits but will be paid as a 1099. I have not received the full budget or contract from the State Dept.

Union County 4-H Dairy Contest Winner

Have you heard? June is National Dairy Month! This month is dedicated to raising awareness of the nutritional benefits of dairy and the vital role that the dairy industry plays in our food systems and economy. UT Extension Union County does not miss this chance to get 4-H students involved. We are kicking off the month by announcing our Union County 4-H Dairy Poster Contest Winner: Emily Graves!

When push comes to injury: what pushing a wheelchair does to your back

When you push someone in a wheelchair, you may be hurting your back without knowing it. Researchers measured the forces on the spine caused by pushing a wheelchair, and discovered that people aren’t good at judging when they’re exerting forces strong enough to hurt their back. The study appears in the journal Ergonomics.