New 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.

Pain Studies In The News

Muscle rubs: use for pain is questionable, review finds
July 8, 2009 Source: Cochrane Collaboration
There is not enough evidence to support using gels and creams containing rubefacients for chronic and acute pain, according to a systematic review by Cochrane Researchers. Rubefacients cause irritation and reddening of the skin, due to increased blood flow. The review focused on formulations containing salicylates, which are widely prescribed or sold over the counter as topical treatments for sports injuries and muscle pain Story

Newer, minimally invasive surgery to treat sciatica does not result in better outcomes
July 7, 2009 Source: American Medical Association
A comparison of surgical treatments for sciatica finds that the minimally invasive procedure known as tubular diskectomy does not provide a significant difference in improvement of functional disability compared to the more common surgery, conventional microdiskectomy. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: a comprehensive review of addiction to prescription painkillers among patients and physicians
July 7, 2009 Source: Mayo Clinic
Chemical dependency and recovery in patients and physicians are closely examined in a series of articles and editorials in the July 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Full text free. Story

Patients fret over proposed Tylenol restrictions
July 7, 2009 Source: The Associated Press
Proposed limits on Tylenol, a painkiller as common as pain itself, have left many consumers fearful, confused and wondering where to turn for relief. The potential government crackdown on acetaminophen, Tylenol's main ingredient, would affect everyone from occasional pill poppers to chronic pain sufferers who rely on daily doses to make their lives more bearable. Story

More Pain Stories In The News

Policy and Law

FDA takes actions on Darvon, other pain medications containing propoxyphene
July 7, 2009 Source: FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking several actions to reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The actions were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal overdoses. Story

FDA weighs options to reduce painkiller overdoses
June 29, 2009 Source: Associated Press
The makers of Tylenol, Excedrin and other medications are trying to dissuade regulators from placing new restrictions on their popular painkillers, including possibly removing some of them from store shelves. Story

Product News & Clinical Trial Reports

King, Pain Therapeutics may refile Remoxy in 2010
July 7, 2009 Source: King Pharmaceuticals
King Pharmaceuticals Inc and Pain Therapeutics say they may not resubmit the application for their experimental pain drug Remoxy until the middle of next year. The companies outlined the new timeline after King met last week with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to discuss the application for Remoxy. The agency initially declined to approve Remoxy in December. Story

European Medicines Agency recommends withdrawal of dextropropoxyphene-containing medicines
June 26, 2009 Source: European Medicines Agency
Finalising a review of the safety and efficacy of dextropropoxyphene-containing painkillers, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) concluded that their risks, particularly the risk of potentially fatal overdose, are greater than their benefits. The Committee therefore recommended that the marketing authorisations for these medicines be withdrawn across the European Union. The withdrawal will be gradual to allow time for the safe transfer of patients to appropriate alternative therapies, in line with national recommendations. Story

More Product News & Clinical Trial Reports

Advocacy

The Summer 2009 issue of the American Pain Foundation’s Pain Community News now available.
Sample headlines:
• Summer heat can be a pain
• Health insurance woes
• Gender Matters: why Women feel more pain
• Fast facts on acute shoulder and neck pain
• Gentle exercises for chronic pain
Story

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:

Arnold LM, Hudson JI, Wang F, et al.
Comparisons of the efficacy and safety of duloxetine for the treatment of fibromyalgia in patients with versus without major depressive disorder. Abstract

Baron R, Mayoral V, Leijon G, et al.
Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with 5% lidocaine medicated plaster and pregabalin in post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic polyneuropathy. Abstract

Brushwood DB.
Drug enforcement administration liability for false arrest of physician. Abstract

Dundar U, Solak O, Yigit I, et al.
Clinical effectiveness of aquatic exercise to treat chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Abstract

Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E.
Internal qigong for pain conditions: a systematic review. Abstract

Merat S, Khalili S, Mostajabi P, et al.
The effect of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome. Abstract

202 Research Abstracts

Branch of Government: Arizona. House.
Title: HB 2200
Summary: Relates to Workers Compensation Benefits; provides that off-label use of a narcotic or opium based controlled substance or the prescription of a Schedule II controlled substance that is inconsistent with Food and Drug Administration approved labeling is subject to approval by the carrier, employer or claims representative; requires the treating physician to provide a report that includes a description of measures that will be taken to prevent the development of abuse, addiction or diversion by the employee.
Sponsor: McLain
History:
06/15/2009 Passed House. To Senate
[Full Text]

Branch of Government: Connecticut. Senate.
Title: SB 243
Summary: Concerns training in pain management for nursing home staff; requires each nursing home facility that is not a residential care home or an Alzheimer's special care unit or program to annually provide a specified minimum amount of training in pain recognition and administration of pain management techniques to all licensed and registered direct care staff and nurse's aides who provide direct patient care to patients.
Sponsor: Prague
History:
06/05/2009 Signed by Governor. Public Act No. 108
[Full Text]

More Legislative and Administrative Updates

Age Groups, Aged
National Committee for Quality Assurance
Care for older adults (COA): percentage of adults 65 years and older who had each of the following during the measurement year: advance care planning, medication review, functional status assessment and pain screening.
[Summary]

Back Pain
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Back care program that emphasizes pain control and behavioral modifications reduces pain levels and lost workdays
[Summary]

More Practice Guidelines

Alabama

Arthritis
City: Huntsville
Summary: A research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain.

Urologic Diseases
City: Birmingham
Summary: A study to determine the efficacy of intranasal oxytocin for the treatment of pain associated with interstitial cystitis.

More New Clinical Trials

Trigger Points and Muscle Chains in Osteopathy
by Philipp Richter, Eric Hebgen
Thieme Medical Publishers, 2009

Effective trigger point therapy

This unique guide takes an in-depth look at trigger point therapy. Split into two sections, it combines detailed theory with practical techniques. You will find comprehensive information on a broad spectrum of topics such as myofascial chains, the craniosacral model, and the classification, diagnosis, and therapy of trigger points.

Highlights:
• Different models of muscle chains
• Detailed explanations of trigger points and their treatment
• Over 260 instructive illustrations and high-quality photographs

Featuring input from various different specialties, this outstanding book is an essential tool for osteopaths, physiotherapists, chiropractors using trigger point therapy, and all others working in pain therapy. A clear layout and detailed anatomical drawings allow you to quickly improve your therapeutic skills. The result: accurate and effective pain therapy!

More Information

Lower empathic responses to outsiders' pain shown by imaging study
July 1, 2009 Source: The Journal of Neuroscience
An observer feels more empathy for someone in pain when that person is in the same social group, according to new research. The study shows that perceiving others in pain activates a part of the brain associated with empathy and emotion more if the observer and the observed are the same race. The findings may show that unconscious prejudices against outside groups exist at a basic level. Story

Editorial
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper, Art Direction