Back Pain Patients:Glucosamine Not Working? – Glucosamine was recently found to have no positive benefits for individuals who experience back pain. The trial, that was conducted at Oslo University Hospital, located in Norway, had 125 patients take 1,500 milligrams of Glucosamine. An additional 125 patients took placebo pills on a daily basis. The researchers said that they found no significant difference in the reduction of pain in the individuals who took Glucosamine. The study lasted for nearly one year. The results of the study will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Glucosamine has long been considered a remedy for slight back pain. Lower back pain is the second most common concern expressed by patients to their doctors. The study was helping to look for cost effective ways to reduce lower back pain. According to a 2009 report on complementary and alternative medicine, Glucosamine had a positive effect. This most recent study says otherwise.
Other studies have stated that Glucosamine does help with back pain. However, there have not been any studies that have been as in depth as the one conducted at Oslo University. The report says that the results of the study are “disappointing but should not be discouraging,” to researchers who are looking for a way to help patients alleviate lower back pain.
The trial suggested that there was no reason for physicians to recommend Glucosamine to patients who have lower back pain, as the study found that it did not help them with pain in the lower back.