Pain Studies in the News
Chinese herbs may relieve endometriosis symptoms, review finds
July 7, 2009 Source: Cochrane Collaboration
Chinese herbal medicine may relieve symptoms in the treatment of endometriosis. A systematic review by Cochrane Researchers found some evidence that women had comparable benefits following laparoscopic surgery and suffered fewer adverse effects if they were given Chinese herbs compared with conventional drug treatments. Story
Age not linked to Achilles pain in older athletes
July 7, 2009 Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Age does not seem to play a role in the development of Achilles tendon problems among older athletes, nor do training and participation in walking, jumping, sprinting, running, or hurdling competitions, findings from a European study suggest. Story
Survey reveals public's concerns about prescription medication overdose risks following death of Michael Jackson
July 7, 2009 Source: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Survey of pharmacists shows that consumers are turning to pharmacists with more questions about medication risks following death of Michael Jackson. Chronic pain should be treated appropriately. ASHP provides tips for safe medication use. Story
Study links migraine headaches to reduced academic performance
July 2, 2009 Source: American University
Suffering from migraine headaches as an adolescent leads to lower high school grades and decreases in the likelihood of graduating high school and the likelihood of attending college, according to a new study. Story
Rotator cuff treatment provides immediate tendonitis relief
June 30, 2009 Source: Radiological Society of North America
A new study reports that ultrasound-guided nonsurgical therapy can be used to treat tendonitis in the rotator cuff of the shoulder in order to provide immediate symptom relief to the patient. The study found that the minimally invasive therapy significantly reduces pain from calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff and restores lasting mobility after treatment. Story
Migraines more prevalent in women
June 25, 2009 Source: Society for Women's Health Research
Approximately three out of four migraine sufferers are women. Researchers have often cited hormones as a possible explanation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than half of migraines in women transpire right before, during or after a woman has her menstrual period. And although some women experience migraines throughout their cycle, menstrual-related migraines may explain one trigger of the condition. Story
Wayne State University research study finds risk of chronic pain in persons with depression is greatest in middle-age women
June 24, 2009 Source: Wayne State University
It is a well-known fact that depression and chronic pain often occur together, but researchers at Wayne State University have discovered that the link between the two is strongest in middle-age women. The study showed that participants with the prevalence of chronic pain with a duration of six months or more due to any cause was 22 percent, and that 35 percent of those with chronic pain also had depression. Story
Migraines with aura in middle age may be associated with late life brain lesions
June 24, 2009 Source: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Women who suffer from migraine headaches in middle age particularly those accompanied by neurological aura are more likely to have damage to brain tissue in the cerebellum later in life, according to a new study. The researchers found that migraine sufferers with aura are more susceptible than others to localized brain tissue damage identified on magnetic resonance images (MRI). In particular, women who reported having migraines with aura were almost twice as likely to have such damage in the cerebellum as women who reported not having headaches. Story
How to text message and avoid pain
June 23, 2009 Source: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine
While it is well known that excessive text messaging can result in sore thumbs, less is known about its possible effects on the neck, arms and hands. Young adults with symptoms in these parts of the body use a different technique when texting according to a new study. This study shows that mobile phone users with neck, arm or hand symptoms more often text messaged hunched over than those in a healthy control group. Story
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with poor sleep in women
June 22, 2009 Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) negatively affect women's sleep, according to a recent research abstract s. Sleep is further impaired by pain, depression and poor adherence to RA medications. Results indicate that length of time since RA diagnosis, RA disease activity, level of pain, depression symptoms and adherence to medications for RA may cause women suffering from the disease to have poor sleep quality. Story
Spinal cord stimulation for pain problems may allow soldiers to be deployed
June 19, 2009 Source: International Anesthesia Research Society
Electrical spinal cord stimulation provides an option for military personnel with back pain and other chronic pain conditions—in appropriate cases, allowing soldiers to return to combat and other strenuous duties, according to a new study. Story
Cupping therapy alleviates carpal tunnel syndrome pain
June 17, 2009 Source: American Pain Society
Researchers from Immanuel Hospital Berlin randomly divided fifty-two carpal tunnel syndrome (CPS) patients into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was given wet cupping therapy in which cupping glasses are applied to skin overlaying the trapezius muscle following 5 to 10 skin punctures with a sterile lancet. Results showed that CPS patients given cupping treatment experienced a highly significant decrease in CPS pain and other symptoms. A single treatment improved functional ability and quality for life for a week. Story
Study pinpoints links of depression with chronic pain
June 16, 2009 Source: American Pain Society
It is well known that chronic pain and clinical depression go together, but a study in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society, shows that the connection between pain and depression is strongest in middle-age women and African Americans. Story
Fibromyalgia patients show decreases in gray matter intensity
June 16, 2009 Source: American Pain Society
Previous studies have shown that fibromyalgia is associated with reductions in gray matter in parts of the brain, but the exact cause is not known. Using sophisticated brain imaging techniques, researchers from Louisiana State University found that alterations in levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine might be responsible for gray matter reductions. Story
Tai Chi benefits for arthritis shown
June 16, 2009 Source: The George Institute
A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers. Story
Controlled study shows acupuncture relieves acute migraine pain
June 16, 2009 Source: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
In a randomized study of patients with acute attacks of migraine, real acupuncture proved more effective than two different types of sham acupuncture in reducing the discomfort of acute migraine headache two and four hours after treatment, researchers from China report Story
Study redefines roles of alcohol, smoking in risk for pancreatitis
June 08, 2009 Source: American Medical Association
Although alcohol consumption is known to be associated with chronic pancreatitis, new evidence indicates that a threshold of five or more drinks per day is required to significantly raise risk; however, most patients with chronic pancreatitis do not drink this amount, according to a report in the June 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, smoking is an independent, dose-dependent risk factor. Story
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