Treating lower back pain, or not; where memories live in the brain; healthy eating on a budget — Morning Medical Update

Seeking back pain relief, and not finding it

Lower back pain can be brutal, and common — one British study estimated six in 10 adults in the U.K. live with it at some point. There’s more bad news: Most nonsurgical treatments don’t do much, if anything, to alleviate that pain. Researchers tested 56 treatments and found just six were effective. The Guardian has this report on the new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. More research definitely is needed.

Memba’ where?

“Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things,” said the ancient Roman orator Cicero. That treasury can be tracked inside the human brain, where neurons interact and change based on learning. It’s complicated stuff, but researchers announced a new study that “provides a comprehensive view of the structural hallmarks of memory formation in one brain region.” Here’s an introduction to the new study that was published in Science.

Bean there, eat that

Economists and everyone else can argue about the causes of inflation all day long. At a practical level, food can get expensive, especially if you’re feeding a family. But a healthy diet does not have to break the bank. If you have patients hungry but not always eating for heart health, check out these tips on affordable healthy eating from the American Heart Association. One easy addition: Beans, packed with protein and fiber, can be added to meals.