That dull ache in your lower back can creep in during the most ordinary moments. Sitting too long, lifting something wrong, or even just getting out of bed can remind you how persistent it is. For many, the real frustration is not knowing why it keeps coming back.
Now, researchers believe they may have found an unexpected way to stop it before it even begins.
A different angle
A study from Johns Hopkins University, led by Dr. Janet L. Crane, suggests a hormone already used in bone treatments could play a new role in pain relief.
According to ScienceDaily, which reported on the findings, the research was published in the journal Bone Research.
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Instead of focusing on muscles or inflammation, the scientists looked at how pain signals develop inside the spine.
What the study found
The team investigated parathyroid hormone (PTH), typically used for osteoporosis. In experiments on mice with spinal degeneration, the hormone appeared to change how nerves behave in damaged areas.
According to the study in Bone Research, the treatment led to:
- stronger spinal tissue
- reduced pain sensitivity
- fewer pain-related nerve fibers
The key mechanism involves a protein called Slit3, which is triggered by bone cells and helps block nerve growth into sensitive regions.
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Why it matters
As reported by ScienceDaily, abnormal nerve growth is believed to be one reason chronic back pain persists without a clear structural cause.
By stopping this process, the hormone may target the root of the problem rather than just easing symptoms.
The research is still based on animal models, and human trials are needed. But the findings may explain why some osteoporosis patients already report reduced back pain during treatment.
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