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Back and Neck Pain

“Finding Serenity in Nature: How Being Outdoors Can Help People Manage Chronic Back Pain”

Researchers asked patients, some of whom had experienced lower back pain for up to 40 years, if being in nature helped them coped better with their lower back pain. They found that people able to spend time in their own gardens saw some health and wellbeing benefits. However, those able to immerse themselves in larger green spaces such as forests felt even more positive, as they were able to lose themselves in the environment and focus more on that than their pain levels. The researchers have recommended trying to incorporate time spent in nature into people’s treatments plans, and are also using their findings to develop virtual reality interventions that allow people to experience some of the benefits of being in nature without the need to travel anywhere if they are unable to do so.
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The article you provided highlights a significant study that explores the connection between being in nature and managing chronic back pain. The research, conducted by experts in pain management and environmental psychology, sheds light on the potential benefits of incorporating natural spaces into the lives of individuals with chronic lower back pain.

The study’s findings are striking, as people who were able to get out into nature reported a range of benefits that helped them cope with their physical discomfort. These included:

* Connection with others: Being outdoors enabled participants to connect with others on a social level, which was particularly important for those who might otherwise spend most of their time indoors and isolated.
* Distraction from pain: Nature provided a degree of distraction from the pain itself, allowing participants to focus on something other than their physical discomfort.
* Escapism: Being outdoors gave participants a sense of escapism from their daily lives, which was particularly important for those who were struggling with chronic back pain.
* Exercise opportunities: Participants enjoyed exercising in pleasant surroundings, preferring it to gyms or similar settings.

The study also highlighted some concerns regarding the accessibility of natural spaces. Factors such as unsteady or uneven terrain and a lack of seating had the potential to reduce participants’ enjoyment of – and making them less inclined to visit – certain places.

Based on their findings, the researchers have recommended that people with chronic lower back pain – and the clinicians treating them – give greater consideration to the role nature can play in their health and wellbeing. They also suggested natural spaces could be adapted to incorporate more accessible design features.

The study’s lead author, Alexander Smith, emphasized the importance of exploring how nature can be accessed by everyone, particularly those with chronic pain. He noted that simple changes, such as better paths and seating, and technological innovations including virtual reality may help make those benefits accessible to everyone.

Dr. Sam Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Pain Neuroscience at the University of Exeter, added that the study addresses important questions about health equity and the significant physical barriers faced by people living with chronic pain in accessing natural spaces. He suggested that future research could use immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, to help overcome these barriers which would enable individuals to experience the benefits of nature without needing to physically navigate inaccessible environments.

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of being in nature for managing chronic back pain and highlights the need for greater consideration of how natural spaces can be made more accessible to everyone.

Source:University of Plymouth
Original Link:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603115020.htm
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Accident and Trauma

Lowered Tackle Height Reduces Head Contacts in Women’s Rugby, Study Finds

Lowering the legal tackle height in women’s rugby is proving effective in reducing head contacts between players, a new study suggests. Changes to the tackle height law in women’s community rugby in Scotland is linked to reductions in head-to-head and head-to shoulder contacts, the study found. The researchers used video analysis to study the impact of the lowered tackle height law which World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, introduced for community rugby in an attempt to improve safety for players.
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May 13, 2025

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The lowered legal tackle height in women’s community rugby has shown to be effective in reducing head contacts between players, according to a world-first study published in BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine. The research, conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with Scottish Rugby and World Rugby, analyzed video footage from 34 Scottish community women’s rugby matches played before and after the introduction of the lowered tackle height law.

The study found that the reduced tackle height led to a significant decrease in head-to-head and head-to-shoulder contacts between players. Specifically, the research revealed:

* A 21% reduction in upright tackles
* A 34% increase in tacklers entering the tackle bent at the waist, which is considered the recommended technique to reduce contact with high-risk areas of the head and shoulders
* A 64% reduction in tacklers making initial contact with the ball carrier’s head and neck
* A 17% reduction in the rate of head-to-head contacts for the tackler
* A 35% reduction in head-to-shoulder contacts for the tackler

The study also found a 19% reduction in contacts above the sternum, known as the “red zone,” between the tackler and the ball carrier. This is considered an area of high risk for concussion.

While the study did not find a significant change in the rate of concussions and injuries when comparing the pre-trial and trial seasons, researchers note that the number of reported injuries overall was very low and may have impacted these findings.

The lead author of the study, Hannah Walton from the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport, emphasized the importance of continued collection of robust tackle and injury data to further understand the effect of the law change on player behavior and safety.

This research provides valuable insights into the impact of lowering the tackle height in women’s community rugby and can inform future injury prevention initiatives. The study is part of an international project led by World Rugby to assess the effects of lowering the tackle height in 11 countries, including Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.

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