INNOVATIONS in Pain Theory, Research, & Practice

Understandings of pain and its clinical management are constantly changing. Additionally, new treatments and new applications of existing treatments are constantly being explored and introduced. The resources on this page explore those innovations and, when possible, provide practice recommendations. These would be of interest and importance for physicians, as well as pharmacists, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician's assistants (PAs), and other healthcare providers.

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Vitamin D for Chronic Pain

By: Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, Practical Pain Management, 2008(Jul/Aug);8(6):24-42.

Download PDF: http://pain-topics.org/pdf/vitamind-PPM-JulAug2008.pdf (1.1 MB, 13-pages)

This 13-page feature article, including 138 references, appeared in the July/August 2008 edition of the medical journal Practical Pain Management (PPM). In sum, extensive clinical evidence and expert commentary supports the opinion that recommending adequate vitamin D intake for helping patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue syndromes should be more widely recognized and acted upon. In many cases, contributing factors are nonspecific or undetermined. Even in cases where a specific etiology has been diagnosed, the potential for vitamin D deficit as a factor contributing to and/or prolonging the pain condition should not be ruled out. Supplemental vitamin D has a highly favorable benefit to cost ratio, with minimal, if any, risks. In all likelihood, it would do no harm and probably could do much good. Article is reprinted here by permission of the journal.

Vitamin D – A Neglected 'Analgesic' for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

An Evidence-Based Review & Clinical Practice Guidance

Inadequacies of vitamin D have been linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain of various types, muscle weakness or fatigue, fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis, hyperesthesia, migraine headaches, and other somatic complaints. It also has been implicated in the mood disturbances of chronic fatigue syndrome and seasonal affective disorder.

Supplemental vitamin D can help to resolve or alleviate these problems in many patients who have been unresponsive to other therapies. Vitamin D therapy is easy for patients to self-administer, is well tolerated, and is very economical.

Practitioner Briefing...

By: Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, Pain Treatment Topics, June 2008.

7-page briefing summarizes key background information and practice recommendations from the full report (see below).

Download PDF: http://pain-topics.org/pdf/vitamind-briefing.pdf (260 KB, 7-pages)

Full Report...

By: Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, Pain Treatment Topics, June 2008.

50-page, peer-reviewed report provides an extensive discussion of vitamin D and its application for chronic pain syndromes. It responds to questions practitioners may have regarding why, when, how, and for whom to recommend vitamin D supplementation.

Download PDF: http://pain-topics.org/pdf/vitamind-report.pdf (770 KB, 50-pages)

Vitamin D: A Champion of Pain Relief [Patient Brochure]

By: Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, Pain Treatment Topics, June 2008.

6-page brochure for patients and/or their caregivers explains in easy-to-understand language what vitamin D is and how it works. In a question-and-answer format it describes how inadequate vitamin D intake may play a role in muscle, bone, or joint pain, as well as the potential benefits of and what to expect from vitamin D supplementation. Patients are advised that they should not discontinue other prescribed therapies for pain and to consult their healthcare providers when starting a vitamin D supplementation program.

Download PDF: http://pain-topics.org/pdf/vitamind-brochure.pdf (200 KB, 6-pages)

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