Starting next year, drug and medical device companies will be required to report gifts to doctors which will be listed on a website. I think this is a good step to discouraging this practice that many studies show influences prescribing behavior. What do think?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/opinion/finding-out-who-pays-your-doctor.html?src=rechp&_r=0

Cancer tests you need – and those you don’t

As you know, I am a big fan of healthnewsreview.org, the free website that reviews media medical and health articles. Here is a summary of a new report by Consumer Reports which lists the eight cancer screening tests to avoid, the three tests to get, and the five questions you should ask before getting a screen. Please post any comments or questions including if you don't understand why some screening tests should be avoided.

http://www.healthnewsreview.org/2013/01/consumer-reports-cover-story-cancer-tests-you-need-and-those-you-dont/

Even most large disc hernitations do not need surgery

Here is another study showing good long term recovery of large disc herniations with non-surgical care. So don't let a surgeon say you need surgery just because the disc herniation is large.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3025225/

Are You Suffering From the #1 Cause of Worldwide Disability?

This is the lead story on the current issue of my clinic newsletter. The Global Burden of Disease 2010 clarifies the worldwide health burden of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly back and neck pain, with low back pain identified as the number-one cause of disability worldwide and neck pain the number-four cause. 
Musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, neck pain and arthritis affect more than 1.7 billion people worldwide and have a greater impact on the health of the world population (death and disability) than HIV/AIDS, tropical diseases including malaria, the forces of war and nature, and all neurological conditions combined. 
The project's findings that should make it abundantly clear that conditions many people may consider relatively harmless actually have tremendous potential for long-term health consequences: In my 23 years of practice, I have seen many lives greatly damaged by back, neck, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Please take these problems seriously.

http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=1716