Inflammatory Markers and Back Pain

A recent study followed 155 elderly women for a year following an episode of acute low back pain. The researchers found that the women with lower levels of a pro-inflammatory cytokine called IL-6 reported less pain at the conclusion of the study. This finding suggests a relationship between inflammation and low back pain, and also that higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines promote pain.

American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, November 2016