Many people with back pain do not know what is causing it and they do not receive effective treatment, but learning to move in a more integrated way makes a big difference, reveals research from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

"People with long-term back pain often protect themselves by unconsciously limiting their movements," says physiotherapist Christina Schön-Ohlsson. "Such inefficient movement patterns gradually become habituated even though the original injury or strain is no longer present."

The answer to the problem is sensory motor learning, where patients are guided to find out how they are moving and how they can free themselves from self-imposed limitations. This process leads patients to develop their bodily awareness and to trust in their bodily sensations again.

In one of the studies 40 patients were randomly divided into two groups to compare experiences of two different types of treatment: exercise therapy and se ... Read more »

The first ever diabetes audit of 200 NHS hospitals has found that 20 per cent of patients on hospital wards have diabetes - twice the proportion previously estimated. In addition, the audit, which is due to be published later this year, will also show that people with diabetes stay in hospital longer than other patients.

Access to specialist advice

The Government's diabetes tsar Dr Rowan Hillson, who is leading the audit, wants to see all patients admitted to hospital with diabetes be given access to specialist advice and believes that having diabetes specialist nurses on wards can reduce readmissions of patients with diabetes, as well as drug errors, and length of stay.

Ensuring the best outcomes

"When they are in hospital it is crucial that people with diabetes have access to the right advice and support from healthcare professionals who have a specialist knowledge of the condition to ensure the best possible health outcomes," said Cath ... Read more »