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The mission of Pain Treatment Topics is to serve as a noncommercial resource for healthcare professionals & their patients, providing open access to clinical news, information, research, and education for a better understanding of evidence-based pain-management practices. Visit the Site Overview for an explanation of the various tabs and sections.
A pair of recently-reported observational studies examined outcomes of integrative -- multidisciplinary and multimodal -- pain management programs, finding that they are not beneficial for all patients and are highly dependent on patient characteristics and treatment components. Learn more>
Three recent studies report on the efficacy of nondrug approaches for managing neck pain, finding favorable outcomes of yoga and fear-avoidance training, while disparaging spinal manipulative therapy. Read discussion>
> Can Antibiotics Cure Chronic Back Pain? > Ear Acupressure for Chronic Back Pain > Reflexology: Implausible Therapy for Pain? > May 2013 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings > Manipulative Therapy for Back Pain Revisited > AMA Opposes PROP Opioid-Label-Change Petition See Table of Contents for ALL UPDATES> Stay Updated on UPDATES, Register for e-Notifications>
NEW in Pain Disorders
By: Latimer KM. Journal of Family Practice, 2013. Chronic Opioid Use in Fibromyalgia Syndrome The authors review the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia and evidence for the efficacy of currently available pharmacotherapeutic agents. Biologic effects of opioids are reviewed in the context of pathophysiologic characteristics of fibromyalgia, which raise concerns about choosing opioids for symptomatic pain relief in patients with this condition. See details>
Recent Resources for Patients
From: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How to Travel with Opioids Handout emphasizes the importance of pre-trip planning — including packing an ample supply of meds and having paperwork that could be needed. Health insurance cards, written prescriptions, and letters from healthcare providers provide added security if a med refill is required. See details>
NEW Pain Treatment GUIDELINES/REPORTS
Review of Psychosocial Difficulties in Patients with Migraine Analysis includes 51 studies evaluating the impact of fatigue and vitality, emotional problems, pain and disability, employment challenges, and social functioning in persons with migraine. Evidence also shows reductions in migraine frequency ameliorate psychosocial difficulties, improving quality of life. See details> AGS Statement: Opioids in Older Adults Practitioners are reminded that AGS Pain Guidelines provide evidence that opioid therapy should be considered for moderate to severe chronic pain when APAP is ineffective (NSAIDs are not preferred). See details> AAPM Statement: Opioids for the Treatment of Chronic Pain Topics include: 1) regulatory policies to limit inappropriate prescribing without hindering medically appropriate opioid therapy, 2) appropriate opioid prescribing, 3) need for physicians to minimize risks, and 4) patient evaluation and risk-benefit assessments. See details>
New in Clinical Concepts
Chronic Pain is Like… The Clinical Use of Analogy and Metaphor in the Treatment of Chronic Pain The authors provide information from research studies to support the use of metaphors as an effective way to increase patients’ understandings of the biology of chronic pain. Multiple analogies are offered for explaining persistent pain, factors that influence an individual's interpretation of pain, and the rationale and benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management. See details here> ACPA Guide to Chronic Pain Meds & Treatment Resource contains information about medications, devices, treatments and procedures, including safety information for storing and disposing of medications. Access here>
Latest Continuing Education (CME) Postings
Mind, Body, Spirit Solutions: An Integrative Approach to Fibromyalgia This educational activity reviews pharmacologic therapies, as well as potential benefits in symptom reduction by adding complementary therapies like acupuncture, bodywork, and mind-body approaches. Emphasis is on designing therapeutic milieus according to the personal needs and characteristics of individual patients. See details> Opioid Analgesics: Recognizing Risks of Abuse and Misuse Activity reviews basic principles of chronic pain assessment and treatment, and considerations when prescribing or rotating opioids. Differences between addiction and physical dependence are explained, along with discussions of tools and approaches for effective opioid risk management. See details>
Opioid Rx & Safety
How to Avoid Opioid Misuse Focuses on risk evaluation for individual patients, including adherence monitoring and other evidence-based strategies known to mitigate opioid misuse. See details> What to Know About the U.S. FDA’s ER/LA-Opioid REMS Website on U.S. FDA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, for Extended Release (ER) and Long-Acting (LA) opioid analgesics. See details>
NEW in Non-Opioid Therapies
Role of Glucosamine in the Treatment for Osteoarthritis Review of preclinical and clinical research concludes that glucosamine sulfate can significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, differences in glucosamine product quality and dosing affect outcomes. See details>
NEW Books to Note Stories of Hope Living in Serenity with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness From: Chronic Pain Anonymous; 2012. Pain Comorbidities Understanding and Treating the Complex Patient From: IASP Press, Giamberardino and Jensen, eds.; 2012.
Pain & Disability Assessment Tools Pain Catastrophizing Scale Questionnaires for adults, spouses, and children assess catastrophic thinking as it relates to a patient’s experiences of helplessness and magnification of pain. Full instructions for administration are provided and the instrument is available in multiple languages. See details> Spanish Versions of Opioid-Risk Assessment Tools Available Now available in Spanish: SOAPP-R and COMM. See details>
SPECIAL: Managing Overdose Risks
OD Prevention & Naloxone Manual Guidance is provided for developing and managing an Overdose Prevention and Education Program, with or without the use of a take-home naloxone component. These programs can be easily integrated into existing medical practices or clinical settings . See details> Naloxone for At-Home Opioid OD Rescue A new website and a short video tell everything you -- and your patients -- need to know about the use of naloxone at home to reverse opioid overdose . Access resources here>
Help for Safely Using Opioid Pain Relievers
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This page was last updated 5/17/13 |
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Improving pain practice requires better research. However, healthcare professionals, and certainly patients, usually have had little specific training in evaluating research. This UPDATES series on “Making Sense of Pain Research” helps to close the education gap, teaching readers how to understand and interpret the often mysterious and complex language of research to assess its quality and validity. 
Extensive, REMS-compliant, educational activity for patients and their caregivers focusing on the proper and safe use of opioid pain relievers. Provides an understanding of opioids and their risks. Vital instruction is provided on recognizing opioid problems and on being prepared for emergencies. 
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has launched its Global Year Against Visceral Pain initiative, bringing worldwide attention to pain that originates in or near the internal organs of the body. Visceral pain is the number one reason for patients to seek medical attention. The 12‐month campaign offers education for healthcare professionals, government leaders, and the public. 
Pain Treatment Topics provides evidence-based information and education on the causes and effective management of pain. To do this, we rely on support in the form of annual educational grants and, through these, we are able to provide all offerings absolutely free and without restriction to site visitors. Learn how your organization can participate in helping to support this website. 
