A case report describes the successful use of thoracic paravertebral blocking to manage severe chronic pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia. The procedure, involving repeated injections of levobupivacaine and dexamethasone, resulted in significant pain subsidence and reduced medication needs.
Researchers found that five cannabis terpenes reduced chronic neuropathic pain levels comparable to morphine. The combination of terpenes and morphine enhanced pain relief without negative side effects. Terpenes offer an alternative to opioids for pain management with a better side effect profile.
A recent study in Brazil found that over 27% of children and adolescents suffer from musculoskeletal pain, with back and leg pain being the most common complaints. The study highlights the need for better understanding and planning of public health policy regarding treatment of chronic pain in adults.
A new study found that people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are twice as likely to develop chronic musculoskeletal pain following an injury. The researchers identified several factors, including smoking, fear of movement, and poorer support networks, that contribute to the development of chronic pain.
A new study from the University of South Australia explores female experiences with pelvic pain and identifies key concepts for effective pain management. The study found that women value learning about the biological explanation for persistent pain, which can help change outcomes and reduce stigma.
Researchers analyzed 60 hours of Netflix content, finding that it often portrays only violent injuries as causing pain, neglecting medical procedures and chronic pain. The study highlights the need for more diverse and inclusive portrayals of pain in media to better support adolescents' experiences.
A new analysis of adolescent TV and film on Netflix suggests that the platform often trivializes pain by focusing on violent acts, while neglecting more common experiences like back pain and menstrual cramps. The study highlights the need for more realistic and diverse representations of pain sufferers.
A study of over 10,000 adults found that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of chronic pain and reduced severe pain severity. Higher activity levels are linked to increased pain tolerance, which explains the protective effect.
A UK study found that majority of rabbit owners could identify pain and pain-free rabbits but lacked knowledge on subtle signs, highlighting the need for education and training.
A recent study published in The Journal of Pain has found that CBD products are ineffective in reducing chronic pain and may pose health risks. The research, led by the University of Bath, examined existing studies on CBD and concluded that there is no quality evidence to support its use as a pain reliever.
A two-question survey identifies patients at risk of poor pain outcomes, who are then steered to holistic services with significant reductions in morphine dose. Holistic interventions, including pain management and behavioral health programs, lead to better outcomes than traditional chronic pain management approaches.
A new study from the University of Portsmouth found that people with musculoskeletal pain complaints tend to retire earlier compared to pain-free participants. Participants suffering from musculoskeletal pain were also 1.25 times more likely to cease work sooner, whether or not they described themselves as retired.
A study of 1,156 individuals aged 50+ found that those with more musculoskeletal pain complaints tended to retire earlier than pain-free participants. Chronic pain was also linked to a higher risk of ceasing work sooner, even after controlling for other factors.
A recent article recommends measuring meaningful outcomes such as pain interference, self-efficacy, and physical functioning to improve the evidence-base for music therapy within sickle cell disease populations. Music therapists can play an important role in chronic pain management by addressing stress, depressed mood, and loneliness.
A recent survey of Norwegian adults found that one in eight individuals who underwent cosmetic surgery experienced chronic post-operative pain. The study highlights the increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures and the need for better awareness about potential complications, including chronic pain.
A new set of clinical guidelines aim to improve treatment for autistic adolescents living with chronic pain. The recommendations are based on the experiences of 10 autistic teenagers and their mothers, who reported challenges such as sensory issues, lack of autism awareness among staff, and difficulty communicating their pain.
A recent study found that yoga significantly reduced pain intensity in women with chronic low back pain, with a notable decrease in flexion-relaxation phenomenon. The research suggests yoga can positively impact chronic back pain management, although further studies are needed to assess its long-term effects.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found applying low-intensity focused ultrasound to the brain can reduce pain perception, brain activity, and cardiac responses. The non-invasive technique may provide a new therapeutic option for chronic pain treatment.
A real-world study published in Pain Practice found that patients with neuropathic back pain, postoperative/posttraumatic pain, or shingles experienced reduced pain intensity after multiple high-concentration capsaicin patch applications. The study also showed a significant reduction in opioid use among participants.
Researchers used low-intensity focused ultrasound to target the insula, a brain region associated with pain processing. The study found that participants experienced an average reduction in pain of three-fourths of a point, as well as decreased physical responses to pain-induced stress.
Researchers found that the brain's pain modulatory system changes with age and gender, making females more sensitive to moderate pain as they get older. The study used fMRI scans to examine brain responses in men and women aged 30-86 and identified a key role for the descending pain modulatory system.
A recent study found disparities in access to integrative health and medicine, as well as nonpharmacologic therapies, among vulnerable populations with chronic pain. These findings highlight the need for policy changes to promote equitable access to these evidence-based modalities.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that most episodes of back pain recover, even after several months. However, those who experience persistent pain have moderate-to-high levels of disability, highlighting the need for new treatment approaches.
A recent study from the University of Georgia found that over 70% of respondents with chronic pain would alter their daily plans based on weather-based pain forecasts. The study suggests that developing a reliable pain-based weather forecast could help individuals take preventative measures to manage their pain levels.
Research from Michigan Medicine found that widespread pain with nociplastic features can make physical activity challenging for patients with multiple sclerosis. The study suggests tailoring exercise plans to individual needs by considering underlying pain mechanisms, aiming to maintain functional independence and reduce pain intensity.
A new study published in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that approximately 60% of people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience chronic pain, even up to 30 years after injury. Chronic pain can significantly worsen outcomes for individuals with TBI, and medications are often the most frequently used treatment.
A study by the University of Sydney and University of Warwick found large gaps in evidence regarding opioid medicines for cancer pain. Non-opioid medicines, including aspirin, may be as effective as opioids for background cancer pain.
A recent review of opioid medicines for cancer pain found surprisingly large gaps in evidence regarding their true benefits. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be at least as effective as some opioids for background cancer pain, offering potential alternatives to reduce dependence and waning analgesia over time.
A new study highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance among medical professionals in addressing chronic pain dependency. Patients describe feeling ignored and misunderstood, leading to feelings of shame and guilt.
Researchers have identified a small molecule that reverses four types of chronic pain in animal studies without troublesome side effects. The compound, CBD3063, binds to the inner region of a calcium channel, indirectly regulating its activity and reducing neurotransmitter release.
A recent study found that transient inflammatory pain causes persistent mitochondrial and metabolic disturbances in sensory neurons, leading to failure in pain resolution. Targeting the cellular redox balance prevents and treats chronic inflammatory pain in rodents.
Listening to preferred music reduces pain intensity and unpleasantness, while emotional responses play a key role in predicting its effect. The study found that moving or bittersweet emotional themes are associated with lower pain ratings.
A new study finds that racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain after acute traumatic injury are driven by differences in the nature of and health care response to acute injuries. Factors associated with disparities include mechanism of injury, severity of injury, pain in the hospital, and length of hospital stay.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 20 adults in the US experience co-occurring chronic pain and anxiety or depression, resulting in functional limitations. The study analyzed data from 31,997 people and found that approximately 12 million people, or 4.9% of the adult population, have co-occurring symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduces fibromyalgia pain by decreasing pain-catastrophizing, a negative response that amplifies pain. CBT participants showed reduced connectivity between brain regions associated with self-awareness and emotional processing.
Pediatric patients experience pain that can be detrimental to their brain structure and lead to emotional and behavioral problems. Validated tools such as the Wong-Baker FACES scale and COMFORT scale help healthcare providers assess pain effectively.
Chronic pain patients who take opioids need access to gold-standard multi-modal pain care, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and integrative medicine techniques. The experts recommend restructuring insurance models, enhancing provider education, and addressing racial inequities in care.
A new review paper suggests scrambler therapy can yield significant relief for approximately 80-90% of patients with chronic pain. The therapy works by capturing nerve endings and replacing pain signals with signals from adjacent areas, 'scrambling' the pain signals sent to the brain.
Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry developed a gene therapy that regulates sodium ion channel activity to alleviate chronic pain. By targeting the specific region where CRMP2 binds to NaV1.7, they were able to reduce sodium influx and quiet down neurons, providing relief from pain in cell and animal studies.
The study found that education can protect individuals from undesirable state-level contexts, increasing their vulnerability to pain. States with more generous SNAP benefits and social cohesion had lower pain prevalence rates, highlighting the importance of macro contextual factors in shaping pain risk.
A study of commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain found that state medical cannabis laws did not lead to a reduction in the use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments. The researchers also suggested slow implementation and reluctance among healthcare leaders may have contributed to these findings.
A randomised controlled trial published in The Lancet found no significant difference in pain levels among patients with lower back or neck pain who received opioid pain relievers compared to those given a placebo. The study also showed an increased risk of opioid misuse in the long term.
Chronic knee osteoarthritis pain does not impair memory and behavioral flexibility, according to new research. Factors like age, pain medication, and socio-economic status are likely to play a role in cognitive decline.
Researchers are exploring natural killer cells as a potential treatment for neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage. NK cells may help prune damaged nerve cells, providing relief from chronic pain.
Researchers found that mice with Alzheimer's Disease lacked TLR4 in their central nervous system, leading to reduced joint inflammation and immune cell response. This study suggests potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain treatment and raises awareness about underreported pain in AD patients.
A recent study found that Black former NFL players experience higher levels of chronic pain intensity and greater impact on daily life compared to white counterparts. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,995 former NFL players and controlled for various factors to find these racial disparities in pain outcomes.
A new analysis of over 10,000 adults reveals that physically active individuals have higher pain tolerance than sedentary ones. The study suggests that boosting physical activity could be a potential strategy for easing chronic pain.
Researchers have recorded pain-related data from inside the brains of individuals with chronic pain disorders, identifying an area associated with chronic pain and objective biomarkers. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, represent a step towards developing novel methods for tracking and treating chronic pain.
A team of researchers at NYU College of Dentistry has successfully modified an existing anti-nausea drug to target the endosomes within cells, thereby providing a more prolonged analgesic effect. The modified netupitant showed improved pain-relieving properties compared to its original form and other drugs targeting similar receptors.
A Cochrane review found that most antidepressants used to manage chronic pain lack sufficient evidence of their effectiveness, with only duloxetine showing reliable pain relief. The review also revealed that harms from many commonly recommended drugs have not been well studied, posing a global public health concern.
Researchers uncover a pathophysiological mechanism that initiates and sustains neuropathic pain in mice, identifying Tiam1 as a potential therapeutic target. Targeting spinal Tiam1 with antisense oligonucleotides alleviates neuropathic pain hypersensitivity, offering promise for treating chronic pain.
Researchers found dramatic reductions in pain and disability among almost 500 people seeking help for four years of chronic back pain. The treatment, Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT), improved social and emotional health, saving over $5,000 per person.
A Scripps Research team found that both alcohol intake and withdrawal can lead to increased pain sensitivity in adult mice. The study suggests potential new drug targets for treating alcohol-associated chronic pain and hypersensitivity.
A new study analyzing US National Health Interview Survey data found significantly higher levels of pain among LGBTQ+ adults compared to straight adults. Psychological distress was the most strongly linked factor driving these differences.
A study by Ruhr-University Bochum's Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy found altered brain activity in patients with fibromyalgia, which may contribute to the disorder's characteristic inability to control pain. The research provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
A recent clinical study found that an online e-health program helped more people with chronic pain reduce their opioid medications and pain intensity than a control group. The program, called Goalistics Chronic Pain Management, improved pain knowledge, confidence managing pain, and coping skills.
A recent study has found a significant link between fibromyalgia and increased odds of exacerbation in pain-related opioid use disorder. Researchers surveyed 125 individuals living with both conditions, revealing that those with fibromyalgia were more likely to report worsening addiction symptoms due to chronic pain.
Researchers found that physician empathy and communication are strongly associated with patient satisfaction for chronic low back pain. Patients highly value physicians who validate their concerns and communicate treatment plans and expectations.
Most treatments offered to teenagers with persistent back pain are outdated and focus solely on physical factors, ignoring the impact of mental health and lifestyle on back pain. The study calls for a more holistic approach to treating back pain in teens, considering sleep, mood, stress, and relationships.