Last Bite

Back ache excuses cured

As a profession we are plagued by back pain more than most which is why new research could be a great step forward; and in more ways than first meets the eye.

The findings from a team of Danish and British researchers suggest that up to 40 per cent of cases could be caused by bacteria and therefore treatable with antibiotics. Tissue taken from patients who had had surgery for the condition and found that over 40 per cent tested positive for bacteria, with 80 per cent of those cases involving Propionibacterium acnes. Temporarily leaving asidethe matter of increasing antibiotic resistance, the prospect of returning to work sooner must be good news (mustn’t it?).

What is also a great boost is that reports suggest that the bacteria, which also cause acne, can be found in gingival crevices and may enter the bloodstream through tooth brushing. At last the perfect argument to make teenagers brush!