Risks for painkiller abuse do not outweigh benefits in chronic pain
May 8, 2008
Recent research shows that, contrary to widespread beliefs, less than 3 percent of patients with no history of drug abuse who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain will show signs of possible drug abuse or dependence. Story

Most extensive study on neck pain dispels myths
May 7, 2008
Results of the most significant study on neck pain to date uncovers prevailing fallacies in the diagnosis and treatment of neck pain. Story

PTSD common in chronic migraine sufferers
May 7, 2008
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common in people who suffer from chronic migraine headache than in those with episodic migraine headache. Story

Botulinum toxin effective in many neurological disorders, not headache
May 5, 2008
New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology confirm that the drug botulinum toxin is safe and effective for treating cervical dystonia, spasticity and other forms of muscle overactivity. A surprising finding was that botulinum toxin is probably not effective in the treatment of migraine or chronic tension-type headache. Story

Foot pain as a result of gardening, by board-certified podiatrist
May 5, 2008
According to some, gardening is an exertive weight-bearing activity and should be considered a sport rather than a passive hobby, and as with any sport, one should make sure to wear appropriate foot gear, and to properly stretch before engaging in the activity. Story

New study suggests cherries may offer natural pain relief for millions suffering from arthritis
May 5, 2008
While arthritis sufferers have sworn for years that cherry juice reduces pain, the anecdotal claims are now supported by scientific evidence. A new study by University of Michigan researchers revealed a cherry-enriched diet reduced inflammation markers in animals by up to 50 percent. Story

Migraine often associated with psychiatric disorders
May 2, 2008
Migraine is commonly associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia, a new study shows. In addition, the study reports that having migraine and a psychiatric condition is associated with worsened health-related outcomes (disability, quality of life, restriction of activities). Story

Social support, active coping ease chronic pain
May 1, 2008
Chronic pain patients who are satisfied with their level of social support are less depressed and more likely to take active steps to cope with their pain. Story

More than 25 percent of americans experience pain
May 1, 2008
A survey of nearly 4,000 respondents in the United States revealed that more than 25 percent of American men and women experience daily pain. The researchers also report strong connections between the experience of pain and levels of income and education. Story

Antidepressant found to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents
May 1, 2008
Researchers at UCLA have found that low-dose antidepressant therapy can significantly improve the overall quality of life for adolescents suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Story

Nursing homes undertreat dementia patients' pain
April 30, 2008
Nursing home residents with dementia appear to be less likely to receive pain medication than other residents, even though they have just as many painful health conditions as cognitively healthy patients had similar rates of often-painful conditions like cancer, osteoarthritis and degeneration in the spinal disks. Story

Low-dose pot eases pain while keeping mind clear
April 30, 2008
Giving carefully calibrated doses of smoked marijuana to people with neuropathic pain, which can be difficult-to-treat and extremely painful, can ease their pain without clouding their minds. Story

The pain of disbelief
April 30, 2008
Nursing researchers found that being disbelieved left patients with feelings of anger, frustration, isolation, depression, and eventually thoughts of suicide. Story

People often share prescription medicine: survey
April 29, 2008
The medications most frequently shared (loaned or borrowed) were allergy drugs like Allegra (25 percent), followed by pain medications like Darvoset and OxyContin (22 percent); and antibiotics like amoxicillin (21 percent). Story

Chronic pain common with c-section incision
April 28, 2008
Chronic pain is often seen in patients who receive a "Pfannenstiel" incision as part of a c-section or other operation. In moderate-to-severe cases, the pain often stems from compression of nearby nerves. Story

Research analyzes if bariatric weight reduction helps improve low back pain symptoms
April 28, 2008
New study provides evidence that substantial weight reduction following bariatric surgery results in moderate reductions in preexisting back pain within six months of weight loss. And this effect does not appear to be the result of the overall improvement associated with the patient's well being. Story

Surgical procedure may provide relief for patients with chronic intractable headaches
April 28, 2008
Results of a two-year study indicate that cranial peripheral nerve stimulation holds promise for treatment of intractable headaches in select patients. Story

Research analyzes if decompression surgery provides pain relief to patients with Chiari Type 1 malformation and syringomyelia
April 28, 2008
While surgery is effective in reducing the size of the syrinx, this reduction does not seem to correlate to pain relief. However, early syrinx reduction may minimize the long-term pain experienced by patients with syringomyelia. Story

Gastric bypass may also relieve low back pain
April 28, 2008
Obese people who underwent surgery that reduced the amount of food they could ingest not only lost weight, they also lost some of their lower back pain, according to a new report. Story

Headaches linked to painful skin sensations
April 22, 2008
Many patients with chronic headaches are often overly sensitive to touch and ordinary activities like rubbing the head or combing the hair cause pain. This problem, technically referred to as "cutaneous allodynia," is nearly twice as common among patients with migraines as among those with other types of headache. Story

Lumbar supports not particularly effective for low back pain
Lumbar or lower back supports—those large belts that people wear around their waists when they lift or carry heavy objects—are not very useful for preventing low back pain, according to a new systematic review. Story

Combination sumatriptan and naproxen relieves headache symptoms without adverse effects: presented at AAN
April 18, 2008
Doctors said that the combination of the antimigraine drug sumatriptan and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen is significantly better than placebo or either of the drugs alone in relieving headache pain for 24 hours without adverse events. Story

Overuse of codeine, oxycodone and barbiturates increases risk of chronic migraine
April 17, 2008
People who overuse barbiturates and opioids, such as codeine, butalbital, and oxycodone, to treat migraine are at an increased risk of developing chronic migraine, according to a new study. Story

Children with migraine at increased risk of sleep disturbances
April 17, 2008
Children with migraine are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children without migraine. Severe migraine was also associated with shorter total sleep time, longer total time to fall asleep, and shorter REM sleep. Story

Migraine frequency linked with women's risk of cardiovascular disease
April 17, 2008
New research shows women who have weekly migraine are significantly more likely to have a stroke than those with fewer migraines or no migraine at all, but those with lower migraine frequency may face increased risk of heart attacks. Story

Physical activity is natural pain reliever for arthritis
April 17, 2008
A recent study published concluded that regular exercise is an effective course in significantly improving and managing arthritis pain. This is good news for the aging population of U.S. baby boomers who want to get back to basics with a natural remedy for pain. Story

Oral prolonged release oxycodone / naloxone combination reduces opioid-induced constipation in severe chronic pain patients, with no loss of analgesia
April 17, 2008
The addition of oral prolonged release (PR) naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to the opioid PR oxycodone significantly reduces opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in severe chronic pain patients without affecting analgesia, according to three new studies Story

Study shows pine bark naturally reduces osteoarthritis
April 16, 2008
Pycnogenol lowered joint pain by 55% from baseline 'severe' to moderately painful, improved physical function by 56%, joint stiffness by 53% and increased patient's mobility almost 3-fold. Story

Leg pain reduced by naftidrofuryl
April 16 2008
Patients with pain caused by narrowed arteries in their legs have 37% more pain-free walking if they take naftidrofuryl (200mg three times a day) than those taking placebos, a Cochrane Review has found. In addition, 55% of patients taking naftidrofuryl improved, while only 30% of people on placebo treatments improved. Story

High blood pressure may protect against migraine
April 14, 2008
People with high blood pressure appear to be less likely to have migraine than those with low blood pressure. Researchers say stiff arteries associated with high blood pressure may play a role in protecting against migraine. Story

Increase of hip and knee replacements in the U.S.
April 15, 2008
With the graying of America's Baby Boomer generation, arthritis is a growing health concern. In 2004, approximately 431,485 primary knee replacements were performed - a 53 percent increase from the year 2000. 225,900 primary hip replacements were performed in the US - marking a 37 percent increase for the same period. Story

National hospice study reveals gaps in service
April 14, 2008
More than a third of Americans now die under the care of a hospice service, but a new study reveals major gaps in the availability of hospice care across the country -- gaps that the researchers attribute directly to the way hospice care is currently funded in America. Story

American Academy of Pain Management is the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization serving clinicians who
treat people with pain through education, setting standards of care, and advocacy.
American Academy of Pain Management
13947 Mono Way #A • Sonora, CA 95370
www.aapainmanage.org