Chronic musculoskeletal pain and function improve with a plant-based diet.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain, often debilitating, affects all genders, ethnicities, and age groups. Research suggests consumption of a plant-based diet may improve the status of persons with chronic pain. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains has been shown to reduce chronic pain and disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the value of a plant-based diet in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations. METHOD: Fourteen subjects participated in the eight-week study. Baseline evaluation included anthropometric measurements and completion of two self-reported outcome measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A registered dietitian nutritionist provided a sample menu cycle and education on a plant-based diet. Subjects utilized a phone app to log food intake and receive support from the dietitian. Post data collection included a repeat of the baseline measures and the Patient Global Impression of Change Scale. The sample was small. Twenty subjects began, 14 completed. No comparison group was used. Results should be considered with caution. RESULTS: The diet intervention resulted in decreased pain and improvement in quality of life. Diet adherence by ten of fourteen subjects was 89% based on completion of food intake records and adherence to allowed foods. CONCLUSION: Consumption of a plant-based diet produced positive improvements in chronic pain and function. Interprofessional collaboration between physical therapists and registered dietitian nutritionists, along with other healthcare practitioners, can encourage and promote diet interventions that positively affect chronic pain.

Degenerative Changes in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Descriptive Study Examining the Supraspinatus Using Musculoskeletal Sonography in a Young Population.

As many as 96% of persons over age 50 years may have shoulder abnormalities involving the rotator cuff. Many of these individuals remain asymptomatic. In contrast, there is limited research into the prevalence of shoulder pathology in the younger asymptomatic population. The supraspinatus muscle is the most likely candidate for injury within the common "rotator cuff" array of shoulder pathologies. The purpose of this study was to determine, using musculoskeletal sonography and basic clinical/physical screening, whether younger asymptomatic subjects (23.4 ± 4.5 yrs) possess any degenerative changes within the supraspinatus muscle/ tendon complex. Early detection of degenerative changes could set the stage for efforts to slow progression and even prevent the development of functional impairment. Forty-six subjects, having no shoulder pain or known functional impairment volunteered for this assessment. Both shoulders of each subject were assessed using physical screening and musculoskeletal sonography. Results showed that 24% of these asymptomatic shoulders demonstrated degenerative changes detectable by musculoskeletal sonography. None of these changes were identified using common physical exam screenings. The incidence and prevalence of subclinical supraspinatus pathology in young subjects may be significantly greater than expected.