Research

University of California San Francisco has published a study reporting that medical marijuana, in combination with certain opiates,  can safely and effectively help diminish chronic pain in sufferers. The group tested cannabinoids inhaled through a vaporizer in combination with morphine and oxycodone, which had the effect of further reducing pain in the patients by 33% and 20% respectively. The doctors who created this study find it upsetting that after sixteen years of medical marijuana being available to the "sick and dying" in California, the elderly and the sick still have problems finding access. All involved called for further research on the [...]

In an article published in the December issue of the journal Pain, researchers in Nova Scotia have reported that a comprehensive review of 41 studies on pain in children published since 1991 have revealed that children and adolescents experience similar levels of chronic pain as adults. Though typically considered an adult affliction, chronic pain conditions such as frequent headaches and stomach pain occurs in many children. Understanding the patterns of pain in children might help to alleviate their suffering as well as further our understanding of chronic pain in adults. http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/09/3310629/chronic-pain-is-common-child-complaint.html

Amp Orthopedics has announced a clinical trial for a device to treat people with mild to moderate knee pain from osteaoarthritis (OA). The trial is a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study of 150 patients aimed to test the safety and effectiveness of the company's non-thermal pulsed radio frequency (PRF) technology to ameliorate pain. The study is being conducted by Mytrus, a company considered revolutionary in that it directly recruits candidates for trials through the internet using tools such as social media sites. The results of the trial should be published in 2012. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amp-orthopedics-initiates-clinical-trial-in-knee-osteoarthritis-pain-2011-12-07

The Journal of Pain has reported research indicating that in married couples including one spouse with a chronic pain disorder, the methods in which they communicate can vastly affect that person's ability to cope with their condition. The researchers hypothesized that invalidation, especially in an argument, can lower the afflicted spouses ability to handle the pain from their disorder. The results of the study actually indicated that men responded more negatively than women to being invalidated by their partner, perhaps because chronic pain disrupts the ability for the husband to perform traditional roles, making him more sensitive to a marital argument. [...]

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its AdaptiveStim(TM) with RestoreSensor(TM) neurostimulation system, the first chronic pain treatment of its kind. This new technology functions much like neurostimulation devices of the past, but their shortfall was that when the patient changed positions they would have to manually adjust the amount of stimulation because the distance between the device and their spine would change. The new AdaptiveStim device utilizes the same motion sensor technology found in video games and smartphones to automatically adjust to position changes, increasing the patients quality of life. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/medtronic-receives-fda-approval-of-adaptivestimtm-with-restoresensortm-for-the-management-of-chronic-pain-2011-11-17

The cervical spine, or the neck, has some of the most important bones in the body. Neck pain can be debilitating, and for some patients it will not go away. The most common chronic problems affecting the cervical spine are disk herniation and spondylosis, both leading to damage at the joint that cushions the bones of the cervical spine, which can push on nerves causing symptoms like pain and numbness. Many patients can manage their pain with medications, exercises, and a healthy lifestyle (because smoking is very bad for the spine) but surgery for the problem is becoming safer and more [...]

Scientists have long known that once the DNA of a cell becomes damaged in any way, it typically becomes "senescent," meaning it stops functioning and multiplying. The immune system has mechanisms to clear these cells out of the body, but as we age a weaker immune system can no longer remove the bulk of them. It was unclear what effect this build-up of zombie-like cells had on the body until researchers at Mayo Clinic exposed mice to an agent that kills senescent cells, and reported that symptoms of aging such as muscle weakness and cataracts were delayed. They wish to continue [...]

A study at the University of Washington has shown that yoga is as effective as conventional stretching classes in the treatment of chronic back pain, and both have better results than self-help books on the topic. The researches were seeking an alternative to the typical treatment of medication, a self-management book, and perhaps some massage therapy, and the results were positive. At the end of the study, the yoga and stretching participants were functioning better than the group which was only given a self-help manual. Time to grab a yoga mat! http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/exercise/story/2011-10-25/Study-Yoga-stretching-classes-outdo-self-care-for-back-pain/50905938/1

St. Jude's has developed a neuro-stim implant aimed at treating chronic pain, and the Japanese have given their approval for it to come to market. The device contains leads which are used to provide electrical impuses near the spine which would alter or even completely interrupt pain signals. It is set up to stimulate only the areas of pain without affecting other nerves. http://www.massdevice.com/news/st-judes-chronic-pain-neuro-stim-implant-wins-japanese-regulatory-nod-prepares-launch

A study at the University of Kentucky suggests that women who smoke heavily are more than twice as likely to report chronic pain than non-smokers. Former smokers and occasional smokers also have a heightened risk, but not as great as the heavy users. In fact, the correlation between these smokers and chronic pain is actually higher than that of older age with chronic pain. http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_women-smokers-more-likely-to-report-chronic-pain-syndrome_1593275