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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.
More than 27 million persons in the United States alone have osteoarthritis (OA), with the knee being most commonly affected. What can be done? The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) recently issued updated treatment guidelines that should be of interest to healthcare providers and patients. Learn more>
As scary and frustrating as it can be to have a chronic disease, especially chronic pain, it is often equally frightening and concerning for the providers who care for such patients. One practitioner offers his viewpoints on what it is like to care for patients with chronic disorders and offers some helpful and practical advice to follow. Read letter>
> More Bad News About NSAIDs Reported > Weather Does Not Affect Fibromyalgia, Study Finds > Does Long-Term Rehab for Chronic Pain Help? > June 2013 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings > Opioid Ties to Hormonal Upsets Studied > Injections for Low-Back Pain Disparaged See Table of Contents for ALL UPDATES> Stay Updated on UPDATES, Register for e-Notifications>
NEW Pain Treatment Guidelines/Reports
From: Osteoarthritis Research Soc. Intl. (OARSI), 2013
From: Amer. Acad. of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); updated 2013.
Recent Resources for Patients
Headaches and Complementary Approaches Fact sheet reviews definitions and characteristics of the most common types of headache. Complementary approaches for headache therapy are discussed, including relaxation training, biofeedback, acupuncture, Tai Chi, cognitive-behavioral therapy, massage (including craniosacral therapy), spinal manipulation, and diet supplementation. See details> U.S. FDA - Patient Network Website Interactive website provides education on how medications and medical devices move from the drawing board to the marketplace. Also helps patients determine whether medical products are safe and effective, and encourages them to become involved by contributing their ideas and concerns about the development and regulation of these products. See details>
Opioid Rx & Safety
Drug-Drug Interactions Apps: Methadone & Buprenorphine Special apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, as well as online use with any computer, provide info on risks of drug-drug interactions between either methadone or buprenorphine and 120 commonly Rx'd drugs. 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 Focus on CRPS/RSD
History, Diagnosis & Treatment of CRPS/RSD This 2 part article briefly reviews the history of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) — also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) — and physiologic mechanisms for its confusing symptoms. Diagnostic considerations and treatments are discussed, including pharmacotherapy, interventional modalities, and psychotherapy. See details here> Treatment of CRPS/RSD in Adults: A Systematic Review This review examines randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to identify successful therapeutic interventions for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Studies showing strong evidence for physiotherapy, drug therapy, and interventional treatments are described, as well as 15 treatments for which there is a lack of evidence. See details>
NEW in Pain Disorders
Management of Chronic Pain in the Elderly Article provides guidance for a more age-specific approach to the assessment and management of geriatric chronic pain. Discusses physiologic changes in aging by specific body system and their impact on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of commonly-used analgesics. The use of multiple modalities in an individualized patient care plan is emphasized. See details>
Systematic review assesses analgesic commonly used in elder adults for osteoarthritis (OA), including acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and opioids. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each are discussed along with adverse event data. Benefits and risks of each drug class for elderly patients are considered. 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>
RECENT 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 therapy according to the personal needs 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>
NEW in Non-Opioid Therapies
Role of Glucosamine in the Treatment for Osteoarthritis Controversial review of research concludes that glucosamine sulfate can 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 6/14/13 |
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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. 
Although 47% of adults experience headache annually, and 37 million persons are diagnosed with migraine in the USA alone, these disorders are still poorly recognized and often inadequately treated. June has been set aside as the month to come forward, to “show purple” in building awareness of these often debilitating disorders, to remove the stigma, and to push for more and better treatments. Further information is available at the National Headache Foundation [
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. 
