Der Schmerz
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Chronic pain affects around 3 million people in Germany. The drug therapies used are only effective to a limited extent and sometimes have considerable side effects. ⋯ Combined with evidence-based complementary medicine, MBM as mind-body medicine in integrative and complementary medicine (MICOM) is an effective instrument for self-efficacy and self-care with very few side effects. The reduction of stress plays a key role in this process.
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The pain phenomena caused by endometriosis are manifold. In addition to nociceptive pain there is also a nociplastic reaction with central sensitization. Atypical symptoms, such as acyclic lower abdominal pain, radiating pain, nonspecific bladder and intestinal complaints or even depression increasingly occur in addition to the classical cyclic complaints, such as severe dysmenorrhea, cyclic lower abdominal pain, dyspareunia, dysuria and dyschezia. Due to the diffuse range of symptoms, affected patients often consult not just gynecologists but also specialists from other disciplines (internal medicine, gastroenterology, orthopedics, pain therapy, psychology etc.). ⋯ Based on multimodal treatment strategies and regarding the complex pathophysiological alterations of this disease, the complex complaints that significantly impair the quality of life of endometriosis patients can be greatly improved.
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Osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthritis) represents a medical challenge. ⋯ Complementary treatment approaches, such as acupuncture, tai chi/qigong, topical naturopathic self-treatment and leeches (with limitations) can, in addition to behavioral changes, exercise therapy and short-term pharmacological treatment, be important evidence-based components of integrative pain management concepts, e.g. in terms of an interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment (IMPT). Besides pain reduction and functional improvement they promote the internal control conviction through the possibility of self-treatment and self-exercise.
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Case Reports
[Electrotherapeutical stellate ganglion block on a patient with complex regional pain syndrome of the upper limb].
The case of a 51-year-old patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the left hand after radius distortion is reported. Anticonvulsant therapy was difficult in this case due to persisting epilepsy with already dual therapy (lamotrigine and brivaracetam) at high dosage. ⋯ A ganglion blockage could not be clinically confirmed in the absence of Horner syndrome, but neuropathic pain and hyperhidrosis could be positively influenced. This case report summarizes the electrode positions used, current parameters, pitfalls and therapy limitations and discusses them in relation to the literature.
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Mitochondrial diseases are complex metabolic disorders caused by genetic mutations and lead to impaired energy production in the mitochondria of cells. The clinical spectrum ranges from severe multiorgan involvement in early childhood to mild monosymptomatic courses in adulthood. The brain, heart, and skeletal muscles are particularly affected due to their high energy demands. ⋯ In recent years similarities in the pathomechanism of mitochondrial diseases and migraine have been investigated in numerous biochemical, genetic, and therapeutic studies. The results suggest a dysfunctional energy metabolism with demonstrable mitochondrial damage as a central aspect in the pathogenesis of migraine. These findings are valuable for a better understanding of primary headache disorders and mitochondrial diseases as well as for the optimization of diagnostic and treatment procedures and should be applied in the clinical practice.