Breaking News

This section includes a wide variety of pain management stories, arranged by date and type (not significance), which have appeared in the popular media (print, broadcast, and on-line) in the last month. Because of the volume of stories, only the first few are included on the main page. Be sure to click on "More Stories" at the bottom of each front page section.

Pain Studies In The News

Study shows doctor's offices can help stem abuse of Oxycontin, other narcotic painkillers
April 11, 2008
Study shows how a busy multi-physician clinic was able to get a better handle on which patients were misusing opioid medications – and steer dependent patients to treatment – through a policy that logged and carefully screened all patients who were receiving the drugs for non-cancer pain Story

Patient Issues: Strong Painkillers Only Moderately Effective Against Chronic Pain
April 11, 2008
The strongest painkilling drugs – called opioids – should not be first-line treatments against chronic pain, and are only moderately effective when they are prescribed, according to the latest report from Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, a public education project of Consumers Union. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Most back pain could be cured without surgery or drugs if doctors treated muscles - not the spine - says leading pain specialist
April 8, 2008
If you're suffering from back pain and unable to find relief, it may be because the real cause of your pain -- weak, stressed and damaged muscles, not your spine -- has never been recognized or treated. Story

Prescription drug abuse threatens availability of pain medication
April 8, 2008
Seventy-one percent of prescription pain medication abusers obtained the drugs from family and friends. Irresponsible use of prescription medications hurts more than those who misuse the drugs. It hurts the nation's 75 million chronic pain patients who are at risk of having much-needed medicines restricted or pulled off the market. Story

More Pain Stories In The News

For Your Patients

Plan to reduce fibromyalgia pain
April 2, 2008
Once fibromyalgia is determined, a multipronged treatment approach often leads to enough symptom relief to resume daily activities. For people whose fibromyalgia is not severe, a few manageable changes can make a big difference. Those who have more severe symptoms might benefit from treatment at a chronic pain or fibromyalgia clinic. Treatment includes: Story

Hospice: questions to help select care providers at life’s end
April 1, 2008
When a family member is dying, how can their loved ones provide the care and comfort needed? Story

Taking the mystery out of fibromyalgia
March 25, 2008
To better understand fibromyalgia, San Diego medical experts answer some frequently asked questions about the disorder. Story

News From Industry Sources

St. Jude Medical Receives FDA and CE Mark Approvals for the World’s Smallest, Longest-Lasting Rechargeable Neurostimulator to Treat Chronic Pain
April 14, 2008
St. Jude Medical, Inc. announced FDA approval of Eon Mini™, the world’s smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable neurostimulator to treat chronic pain of the trunk or limbs and pain from failed back surgery. It is the only small rechargeable neurostimulator to receive a 10-year battery longevity approval by the FDA Story

Alozin Pain Relief Spray has revolutionized pain management by turning off the pain at targeted areas of discomfort.
April 1, 2008
Zion Health today announced the release of Alozin Pain Relief Spray, a revolutionary combination of minerals and potent herbs designed to help people who suffer from muscle pain, joint pain and pain associated with arthritis. Story

More News From Industry Sources

Research Abstracts Stay up-to-date on the latest research! This section of Currents offers complete abstracts on a wide variety of pain and pain management topics that have been selected from the National Library of Medicine. All Abstracts

Some include:

Evans S, de Souza L.
Dealing with chronic pain: giving voice to the experiences of mothers with chronic pain and their children. Abstract

Holtgrefe K, McCloy C, Rome L.
Changes associated with a quota-based approach on a walking program for individuals with fibromyalgia. Abstract

Itoh K, Hirota S, Katsumi Y, et al.
Trigger point acupuncture for treatment of knee osteoarthritis - a preliminary RCT for a pragmatic trial. Abstract

Jabbari B.
Evidence based medicine in the use of botulinum toxin for back pain. Abstract

Smith HS.
Variations in opioid responsiveness. Abstract

Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: U.S. House of Representatives
Title: HR 5465
Summary: A bill to require the Department of Defense to implement a pain care initiative, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Loebsack, David [IA-2]
Latest Action: February 14, 2008: Introduced and Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. full text

Branch of Government: U.S. Senate
Title: S 2160 [Veterans Pain Care Act of 2007]
Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out at each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facility an initiative on pain care which shall include, for each individual receiving treatment at such facility: (1) an assessment for pain at the time of admission or initial treatment, and periodic assessments thereafter; and (2) appropriate pain care including, when necessary, access to specialty pain management services. Directs the Secretary to carry out within the Medical and Prosthetic Research Service of the Veterans Health Administration a program of research and training on acute and chronic pain. Requires the Secretary, under such program, to designate cooperative centers for research and education on pain, with at least one center as a lead center for research on pain attributable to central and peripheral nervous system damage commonly associated with battlefield injuries characteristic of modern warfare.
Sponsor: Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI
Latest Action: February 28, 2008: Report filed by Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs (S.) full text
TAKE ACTION!

New Practice Guidelines

Arthritis
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence [U.K.]
Osteoarthritis: the care and management of osteoarthritis in adults
[Summary and recommendations]

Amputation, physiopathology
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense
VA/DoD Clinical practice guideline for rehabilitation of lower limb amputation
[Summary and recommendations]

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Anemia, Sickle Cell
City: Birmingham
Summary: A study examining whether nitric oxide (NO) gas can reduce the time it takes for pain to go away in patients who are in sickle cell crisis.

Arthritis
City: Birmingham
Summary: A single dose study of the analgesic properties of HKT-500 in subjects with pain caused by mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.

Neck Pain
City: Huntsville
Summary: A study to assess long-term performance of the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc in the treatment of patients with cervical degenerative disc disease.

More New Clinical Trials

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Missouri grapes could ease pain
March 25, 2008
Relief from arthritis or severe jaw pain could come from a Missouri grape vine in the near future, say state researchers. Story

Over-the-counter pain killers increase muscle mass, strength during long-term resistance training, study suggests
April 7, 2008
Taking daily recommended dosages of ibuprofen and acetaminophen caused a substantially greater increase over placebo in the amount of quadriceps muscle mass and muscle strength gained during three months of regular weight lifting Story

Cushion for your head might be source of aches, pain
March 31, 2008
I've always thought of pillows as the ultimate allies, cradles of comfort outside the womb, the means to melt into peaceful slumber… I started taking pillows more seriously after two shoulder surgeries on one arm affected my good arm, neck and upper back. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper