Books

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.

Studies/Research

State of Cancer Survivorship Among Medically Underserved Is Poor; Requires Immediate Attention to Reduce Disparities. New Report Finds Minorities and Poor Least Likely to Remain Cancer-Free
April 19, 2006
On the heels of a landmark report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) about the continuing medical needs of the nation's 10 million cancer survivors, a new assessment by the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) finds those who are poor, lack health insurance or otherwise have inadequate access to high-quality cancer care are the least likely to get comprehensive post-treatment care, increasing their odds for an early death. Story

Studies Unclear Whether Spinal Cement Procedure Improves Back Pain
A procedure that fills in fractured vertebrae with injected cement has not been shown to improve a person's back pain or quality of life, according to a new analysis of studies. The procedure, known as percutaneous kyphoplasty, does seem to expand areas of collapsed backbone and restore some vertebral height in patients with osteoporosis, although the studies did not offer enough information to precisely measure the magnitude of these improvements, the researchers found. Story

Conditions, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
May 2, 2006
Mayo Clinic Proceedings has published Consensus Guidelines for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) authored by the American Society of Pain Educators (ASPE), which for the first time provide healthcare professionals with a definitive, consistent treatment strategy for the management of pain associated with diabetes. Story

Help for Vulvodynia Suffers in 10 Natural Steps with the Vulvodynia Treatment Guide & Kits
April 21, 2006
Women who suffer from Vulvodynia have a new source of help at www.Vulvodynia-Treatment.com, where The Vulvodynia Treatment Guide and the Complete V-Treatment Kit are explained in detail and offered at introductory low prices. Vulvodynia is a medical condition suffered by an estimated 14 million women in the United States and up to 16% of all women worldwide. Also known as Vestibulitis, Vulvodynia is a chronic pain characterized by a stinging, burning, itching or raw feeling in the vulva region. Story

Pain Stories

My Pain, My Brain (NY Times password required)
By MELANIE THERNSTROM
May 14, 2006
Who hasn't wished she could watch her brain at work and make changes to it, the way a painter steps back from a painting, studies it and decides to make the sky a different hue? If only we could spell-check our brain like a text, or reprogram it like a computer to eliminate glitches like pain, depression and learning disabilities. Would we one day become completely transparent to ourselves, and — fully conscious of consciousness — consciously create ourselves as we like? The glitch I'd like to program out of my brain is chronic pain. Story

Charles To Tell Doctors of the World to use Alternative Treatments
Herbs and Holistic Remedies Could Replace Conventional Therapies (UK)
May 14, 2006
The Prince of Wales will urge doctors to start using unconventional techniques such as chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicines to treat serious illnesses, in a speech to the World Health Organisation next week. Story

Policy, Law, Advocacy

NJ Considers Legalizing Medical Marijuana
May 9, 2006
New Jersey would become the 12th state to legalize marijuana for people with debilitating medical conditions under a bill slated to be discussed next month by state lawmakers.Sen. Joseph Vitale, chairman of a Senate health panel, said he's scheduled a June 8 discussion to hear from experts on the bill proposed by Sen. Nicholas Scutari. Vitale said he supports the concept, but has questions. Story

Lawyer: Study May Lead to More Vioxx Suits
May 3, 2006
An attorney for Vioxx users said on Wednesday said that a new study which suggests the pain killer may cause problems with short-term use may lead to more lawsuits against the pain reliever's maker, Merck & Co. However, a Merck lawyer, as well as an attorney not involved in the litigation, cautioned that the study, done looking at patient records, is not definitive and is not as reliable as clinical studies done comparing Vioxx with a placebo. Story

More Policy, Law, and Advocacy Articles

Prescription Diversion and Abuse

Nearly Two Million Drug-Related Visits to U.S. ERs in 2004: Report
May 10, 2006
There were nearly two million drug-related visits to U.S. emergency departments in 2004, and nearly 1.3 million of those involved drug or alcohol misuse or abuse, according to data released by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Story

Kennedy Son to Seek Drug Treatment after Car Crash
May 5, 2006
US congressman Patrick Kennedy, heir to America's most famous political dynasty, announced he would seek treatment for medication addiction, a day after crashing his Ford Mustang into a Congress security barrier.The 38-year-old son of Senator Edward Kennedy and nephew of late president John F. Kennedy said he did not remember waking up and driving his car before dawn Thursday. He blamed the accident on prescription drugs he had taken. Story

Arm Pads Give Relief to Computer Pain
April 21, 2006
Resting your forearms on supportive arm boards or pads may take some of the aches and pains out of working at a computer every day. A new study suggests that providing forearm support can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain as well as hand, wrist, and forearm pain associated with computer use. Story

Causes And Prevention Of Back Pain And Injuries
April 28, 2006
Stress appears to be the leading risk factor for back pain and injuries. Managing stress, knowing other risk factors and working it all out through exercise is a great way to keep back injuries at bay. Story

More For Your Patients Articles

Industry-Released News

Harm Reduction Experts Call for Public Health Response to Overdose Deaths; Overdoses Can Be Prevented Through Narcan
May 10, 2006
A wave of overdoses and deaths from heroin mixed with a powerful pain medication, fentanyl, has prompted advocates to urge health officials to act swiftly. The Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) calls upon health departments nationwide to adopt effective prevention strategies to reduce overdose deaths, including providing all heroin users with Narcan, a medication that reverses opiate overdoses. Story

PainCare Holdings and Solstice Neurosciences, Inc. Announce a Partnership for Treatment of Painful Cervical Dystonia
Wednesday May 10, 2006
PainCare Holdings, an established network of pain management health care clinics, announced today a new collaboration with Solstice Neurosciences, Inc., the makers of Myobloc® (Botulinum Toxin Type B) Injectable Solution. The companies have joined forces to focus on reducing the suffering of patients with the neck pain associated with cervical dystonia (CD). Story

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

The Mummy with Back Pain
Probably the best-preserved body in the world was found in China in 1972. Xin Zhui, the Lady of Dai, died between 178 and 145 BC. It was possible to work out from the tomb and body that she was about 50 years old when she died. She was also wealthy, overweight and had low back pain (inferred because of damage to the joints in her lumbar spine).  

Relief in a World of Hurt
Ballet companies are turning to wellness programs, early intervention and — gasp — even cross-training to try to lower the bar on injuries. Dislocated shoulders, ruptured tendons, torn ligaments, foot fissures, fractures ... sprains, strains, bruises, bunions. In the world of professional dance, potential disaster lurks in every picture-perfect pose and plié. Story

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:

The impact of threatening information about pain on coping and pain tolerance. Abstract

Patient-controlled analgesia: Finding a balance between cost and comfort. Abstract

Predictors of opioid misuse in patients with chronic pain: A prospective cohort study. Abstract

Herbal medicine for low back pain. Abstract

Complex regional pain syndromes (reflex sympathetic dystrophy and causalgia) and spinal cord stimulation. Abstract

All Abstracts

NEW
Practice Guidelines

This section will include new or updated clinical practice guidelines related to pain management.

University of Iowa Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, Research Dissemination Core
Persistent pain management

View All Guidelines

State Legislative Updates

State: California
Bill Name: ASSEMBLY BILL 2198
Synopsis:Prohibits disciplinary action against a physician and surgeon who has a medical basis for prescribing, furnishing, dispensing, or administering of a dangerous drug or prescription controlled substance. Authorizes a physician and surgeon to prescribe for, or dispense or administer to, a person under his or her treatment for a medical condition drugs or prescription controlled substances for the treatment of pain or a condition causing pain, including intractable pain. [full text]
Sponsor: Houston
Date Introduced: 02/22/2006
Recent Action: 04/17/2006: From Assembly Committee on Business and Professions Do pass as amended to Committee on Health.
04/18/2006: In Assembly. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Health.
04/25/2006: From Assembly Committee on Health: Do pass to Committee on Appropriations.

More State Legislative Updates

Advocacy

Pain Hearings: A Message from the American Pain Foundation (APF)
The pain community is working together to motivate and stimulate elected representatives to hold another “Hearing on Pain” to continue discussion about the crisis of chronic pain. We must continue to unite our voices and work toward our common goal to eliminate the undertreatment of pain. The archived webcast and testimonies from the December 2005 Congressional Hearing on Pain are available on the Sub-Committee's website. For more information on APF’s advocacy efforts, current legislation, and updates, visit their online Advocacy Center

Advocacy News from the National Pain Foundation
The “Where’s Dennis?” Pain Awareness Campaign

The National Pain Foundation’s national spokesperson, Dennis Kinch, is currently walking Route 66, from Chicago to Los Angeles, to raise awareness of the far-reaching effects chronic pain has on an individual’s life. As a person in pain himself, with Paget’s Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis, he is spreading an important message: “Pain does not have to control a person’s life. “Dennis left Chicago on September 19, 2005 and has walked more than 1,700 miles so far! Walking from pain clinic to pain clinic, he is both inspiring people in pain and supporting the work of dedicated pain care providers. Dennis expects to reach the Pacific Ocean by July 14, 2006. To see when you can meet up with him, to support his message and his walk, or to find videos, updates from the road, and more, visit the National Pain Foundation website, www.NationalPainFoundation.org/WhereisDennis

The National Pain Foundation’s Caregiver Directory
The National Pain Foundation has launched its Caregiver Directory, and wants you to be a part of it! The Caregiver Directory is a searchable, comprehensive directory of pain care providers. Housed on the NPF website under “My Providers”, this valuable resource tells thousands of people in pain about you and your practice. You can say as much (or as little) as you want to make your practice stand out. Plus, its unique Patient Guide to Pain Care Providers explains the many treatment options and background specialties involved in pain care, helping patients “zero in” on a provider of their choice from the very beginning. To learn more and to register, visit www.NationalPainFoundation.org/MyProviders today!

Books

Author Shares How to Transform Pain into a Path of Wellness
April 14, 2006
Sufferers of afflictions such as sinus infections, sore backs, migraines, colds, flu, even heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis or cancer will benefit from a new book just released showing how to interpret afflictions as unique life-transforming messages.Diagnosed with cancer at age twenty-four, author Jamie Saloff didn’t believe she’d live to see her then two-year-old son grow up….Now Saloff shares her discoveries in her new book, “Transformational Healing: Five Surprisingly Simple Keys Designed to Redirect Your Life Toward Wellness, Purpose, and Prosperity” (ISBN 0974064203). Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing
Lennie Duensing
Kathryn Padgett
Marsha Stanton

Design
Carol Harper