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July 10, 2010
If you have a specific type of lower back pain, taking glucosamine may not help alleviate your pain, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The study was conducted in Norway, using 250 volunteers who experienced chronic lower back pain due to osteoarthritis for at least six months. Half of the volunteers, all over 25 years of age, were given glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg daily). Half were given a placebo comprised mainly of cellulose. Using a standardized pain index, the researchers measured the patients' pain levels at six months, and again at one year.
The researchers found those taking glucosamine reported the same amount of improvement compared to those taking the cellulose pills. Based on the results, the researchers recommended the following:
It seems unwise to recommend glucosamine to all patients with chronic lower back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis.
Don't toss your glucosamine bottle just yet. The patients who participated in the study did report a reduction in their pain levels (from just over 9 down to 5 on a 24-point disability scale) over the trial period. While glucosamine can't take the credit, it is possible that the patients benefited from simply taking a pill in the first place.
There is a high correlation between pain reduction due to a placebo effect; people feel better because they expect to feel better. The Norwegian study did not follow patients who received no pills, so it is not clear if the participants benefited from this placebo effect. If you believe that by taking glucosamine you will lessen your lower back pain, then it's very possible that you will feel better by using the supplement. But as with any health issues, talk to your health care provider first.
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