Harvard Health Content API

Does bad weather make your back hurt? Researchers have taken a close look at this question and concluded that the answer is no. The study included nearly 1,000 people. All of them visited primary care clinics because of acute (sudden) low back pain. Researchers looked at weather conditions when the back pain started, as well as a week and a month before. They found no connection between back pain and temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction or precipitation. Higher wind speeds and gusts were slightly more likely at the time the pain started than at other times. The journal Arthritis Care & Research published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it July 10.

Doctors have a moral duty to help protect athletes from the effects of concussions, a new policy statement says. The statement comes from the American Academy of Neurology. Neurologists treat concussions and other brain conditions. The statement says doctors should resist pressures from coaches, parents and others to return athletes to play too soon. Doctors also should educate athletes and their families about concussion risks that occur in sports. The statement calls for more baseline tests of brain function before the sports season begins. The doctors also urged creation of a national concussion registry. Reporting should be required, they said. And neurologists also should receive more training about concussions, the statement said. The journal Neurology published the statement. HealthDay News wrote about it July 9.