Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

Study: This Simple Activity May Help Reduce Lower Back Pain

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 11:09:00 -0400

Health reports that people had less frequent episodes of low back pain when they walked regularly, according to a new study.¹

The research, published on June 19 in The Lancet, highlights the importance of walking as a simple health intervention, especially given the toll low back pain takes on patients and the healthcare system at large, experts said.

The study’s results are also promising because, unlike many forms of activity, walking is a safe and accessible exercise for most people, added Paul M. Cooke, MD, physiatrist at HSS.

“Almost all people can benefit from daily walks in some capacity,” Dr. Cooke told Health.

“Regular walking helps strengthen leg and core muscles, enhance aerobic capacity, control body weight, and reduce stress and tension,” Dr. Cooke explained. “These can all contribute to improving back pain.”

Read the full article at health.com.

Lumbar Pillows for Low Back Pain Relief

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:51:00 -0400

Spine Universe discusses what to look for in a lumbar pillow for back pain according to experts including Paul M. Cooke, MD, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Cooke explained a pillow doesn’t have to be called a lumbar or lumbar support pillow. “Any pillow can work that provides enough support for the lumbar spine’s natural lordosis,” he noted.

Read the full article at Spineuniverse.com.

FOCOS receives a delegation of medical consultants from HSS

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 07:00:00 -0400

HSS sports medicine surgeon Michael J. Maynard, MD; physiatrist Paul M. Cooke, MD; and clinical fellow Carlo J. Milani, MD; visited FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital in Ghana where they provided surgical and non-surgical services treating musculoskeletal conditions from spine conditions to knee arthritis.

"Each year we visit we build upon what we did the previous year, so my expectation is to see the Physiatry presence at FOCOS continue to grow and get referrals from outside providers as a Physiatry Center of Excellence in Ghana," said Dr. Cooke.

According to the article, Dr. Maynard also ran a clinic on anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions and other sports-related injuries.

"I am trying to bring a sports medicine competency here to help develop arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. I will also hope that I can help by instituting a program in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery at FOCOS that can be continued in my absence," Dr. Maynard noted.

This article originally appeared at focoshospitalgh.com.