Pain
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Chronic Pain and Vitamin D Status: Mayo Clinic Study
Dr. Michael Turner studies Vitamin D and its affect on patients who have chronic pain and take narcotic pain medication. This research shows a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients who have chronic pain. This information can help researchers discover new ways to treat chronic pain. How might this study affect…
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Depression and Chronic Pain is Extremely Common
Dr. Russell Portenoy of Beth Israel Medical Center explains that depression often coincides with chronic pain. The relationship is complicated and requires a strong assessment of both conditions. Dr. Portenoy explains that patients often seek treatment for depression with a psychiatrist and for chronic pain with a physician and that this disconnect is a problem of the health care system.…
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Pain Patients Shouldnt Tough It Out
Dr. Russell Portenoy explains how important it is for patients to report actual levels of pain rather than remaining stoic or attempting to tough it out. Dr. Portenoy says that there are often various reasons for patients to appear stoic. What reasons do you think there are? What does Dr. Portenoy suggest patients do to report realistic pain levels to…
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How to Keep a Pain Diary
Dr. Russell Portenoy explains why and how patients should record their pain. He recommends they record the following: intensity of pain, medicines taken, functioning abilities (sleeping, walking, etc.), and related symptoms. Keeping diaries like this can help physicians assess a care plan. Create a sample pain diary template based on Dr. Portenoys description.
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Chronic Pain and Neurofeedback
This video from EEG Info covers treatment for chronic pain using neurofeedback. R.N. Caroline Grierson explains how they use neurofeedback to redirect a patients attention to pain in order to lessen its severity. How is this treatment a training, and how does it control the patients pain?
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