Pain Management
America’s Pain Epidemic Needs Voices and Wisdom from Integrative Medicine
America has a pain epidemic. The symptom is opioid addiction. The solution? It lies within integrative medicine. It’s time to speak up because as solutions like the NIH HEAL Initiative (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) and this week’s JAMA opinion column on HEAL are released, it’s clear that something is missing. WhatRead
Pain Tracker Assessment Proves Positive for Patients with Chronic Pain
Pain, it’s a national epidemic. This study supports what you already know: People in chronic pain are some of the most difficult patients to treat. Pain is complex and the circumstances that lead to chronic pain are not easy to remedy. This study from University Washington’s Medicine Center for PainRead
Education Improves Patients’ Shift Toward Active-Pain Management Solutions
In this study, researchers explore the advantages of an active complementary and integrative therapy for long-term, chronic-pain management. Active-pain management employs self-hypnosis, relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices in a home setting, but only if the patient is adequately educated beforehand. This study shows that the ideal pain management model ofRead
Two JAMA Studies with Podcast: Legal Cannabis Reduces Opioid Prescribing
Recently the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published two studies and commentary on the relationship between legal cannabis use and opioid prescribing rates and patterns. We provide an 11-minute podcast from the authors and the study abstract summaries below. One study examines state implementation of medical and adult-useRead
Acupressure Relieves Sleep Related Neck and Shoulder Pain (Nakchim)
This study reviews the value of acupressure as a drug-free treatment option for a certain type of neck and shoulder pain. East Asian traditional medicine (EATM) describes a particular type of neck and shoulder pain, called nakchim, which occurs from the wrong sleeping posture, neck muscle abnormality and wind-cold assailing.Read
Interdisciplinary Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Study
Chronic and severe pain affects from 25% to 37% of children and adolescents, which can lead to pain-related disabilities, increased school absences, avoidance of social activities, disrupted eating and sleep routines, as well as mood disorders and depression. With growing worry about drug addiction from prescribed pain medications, an interdisciplinaryRead
Over-the-Counter Pain Meds Associated with Hearing Loss
One of every three people age 65 reports some level of hearing loss. Evidence is growing that over the counter pain relievers may account for some of hearing loss in these older Americans. A new study, from the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows that six more years of use ofRead
Opioids may exacerbate pain, new study shows
Tart Cherries for Peripheral Polyneuropathies
Dear Doctor, #PleaseTextMe
Reminder: Plz take your meds. How r u feeling 2day? These aren’t texts from Mom, they are from physicians. Text messaging in health care started with routine appointment reminders. Today, evidence shows patients prefer to receive texts and updates from their health-care providers. Physicians report text messaging can influence health behavior and decisions and save time for health care providers. With better compliance outcomes and time savings, why aren’t you texting your patients? Download a free white paper for more on mobile technology and practice management.