Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

New study explains placebo effect

Why do some people experience a “placebo effect” that makes them feel better when they receive a sham treatment they believe to be real — while other people don't respond at all to the same thing, or even feel worse?

19 Jul 2007

Metal-on-metal artificial disc relieves pain from degenerative cervical disc disease

The neck and arm pain caused by degenerative cervical (neck) disc disease may be eliminated by replacing the problem disc with a metal-on-metal artificial disc, said Loyola University Health System neurological surgeon Dr. Russ P. Nockels.

19 Jul 2007

Researchers pinpoint brain region linked to placebo effect

Researchers have pinpointed a brain region central to the machinery of the placebo effect, the often controversial phenomenon in which a person's belief in the efficacy of a treatment such as a painkilling drug influences its effect.

19 Jul 2007

Researchers identify gene-regulating protein in the brain that triggers ability to cope with

Researchers have identified a gene-regulating protein in the brains of mice that triggers the animals' ability to cope with the "behavioral despair" caused by inescapable stress.

19 Jul 2007

High-definition telemedicine

As a surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, surgeons observing in Boston or Mexico City or London will notice a remarkable improvement in clarity, compared to the view they would have had in the past.

18 Jul 2007

Tips and fact for belching, bloating, and flatulence

We've all experienced intestinal gas, some more than others.

18 Jul 2007

New medical device to treat cervical degenerative disc disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for marketing the Prestige Cervical Disc, made by Medtronic Sofamor Danek of Memphis - the first artificial cervical (neck) disc for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease, one of the most common causes of neck and arm pain.

18 Jul 2007

Preventive techniques greatly reduce pressure ulcers

Working together to reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers in patients throughout various care settings, members of the New Jersey Hospital Association's Pressure Ulcer Collaborative have reported a 70 percent reduction in the incidence of new pressure ulcers after nearly two years of applying shared best practices and preventive techniques.

18 Jul 2007

Saline for chronic rhinosinusitis

Spraying salty water (saline) into your nose can help reduce the symptoms of pain and congestion that accompany long-term infections of the nasal passages, a Cochrane Systematic Review has concluded.

18 Jul 2007

Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth

The commonly used and inexpensive analgesic acetaminophen (Tylenol or paracetamol) is an effective pain reliever after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth, according to a new systematic review of 21 studies.

18 Jul 2007

Correcting birth defects

Traditionally when a baby was born with a malformation of the lung or esophagus, they had to undergo open surgery involving a large chest incision with risk for serious complications.

18 Jul 2007

Taste loss after tonsillectomy unusual

In a small study of patients undergoing tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, none reported an ongoing dysfunction in their sense of taste following the procedure, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Otolaryngology?Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

17 Jul 2007

Children at birthday party paid by 'MMR row' doctor for their blood

The General Medical Council (GMC) in Britain has heard that Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who is facing allegations of serious professional misconduct with regard to research on the triple measles-mumps-rubella MMR vaccine, paid children £5 to take their blood samples at his son's birthday party.

16 Jul 2007

Women have poorer short-term recovery than men from arthroscopic knee surgery

The factors associated with poor short-term recovery from knee surgery appear to be different than those found to mar long-term outcome from the same surgery, according to new research released at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center.

16 Jul 2007

Venous thromboembolism in the U.S.

Venous thrombosis (VTE), the formation of blood clots in a vein, is a major health problem for hospitalized patients in the United States.

16 Jul 2007

Throwing motion in young baseball players may actually protect shoulder

Adaptive changes occur in the arm bone and soft tissue of the shoulders of young athletes participating in youth baseball and help protect them against injury, according to new research released at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center.

16 Jul 2007

Arthroscopic treatment of tennis elbow demonstrates long-term success

Arthroscopic treatment of tennis elbow has shown to be successful at long-term follow-up, according to new research released at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center.

16 Jul 2007

Sports hernia repair technique coupled with innovative rehabilitation program speeds return to play

Surgical repair of athletic hernia using tension-free mesh and a standardized rehabilitation protocol are successful in returning athletes to competition, according to new research released at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center.

16 Jul 2007

Do vaccines promote a false sense of security?

A new study examines whether a vaccine that offers only partial protection can backfire by increasing risky behavior, as a false sense of security could make recipients less careful than they otherwise would be.

16 Jul 2007

Sports hernia repair surgery plus innovative rehab program helps athletes return to play

In recent years, sports hernias have sidelined many high-level athletes for months and, occasionally, prevented a return to competitive sports all together.

16 Jul 2007