"Acupuncture significantly improved pain, functional status, and quality of life in women with lower back/pelvic pain during the pregnancy," researchers say.

The team found no benefit in 277 patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis who also engaged in sustained NSAID use.

Cannabis users experienced 14 percent more pain in the first 24 hours after surgery, versus those who never used the drug.

Individualized care resulted in much stronger effects on those with chronic back pain compared to standard interventions.

The study found those given a placebo painkiller were less willing to reduce the number of electric shocks another person received.

Bus travel turned out to be the worst way to travel, leaving nearly two in five (39%) people feeling cramped up.