Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2013
ReviewMyofascial trigger point therapy: laser therapy and dry needling.
The aim of the present review is to discuss two forms of treatment for myofascial pain: laser therapy and dry needling. Although studies have reported the deactivation of myofascial trigger points with these two methods, clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy are scarce. ⋯ It has been suggested that improvements in microcirculation through the administration of laser therapy may favor the supply of oxygen to the cells under conditions of hypoxia and help remove the waste products of cell metabolism, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of pain, muscle spasm and further pain. While laser therapy is the method of choice for patients with a fear of needles and healthcare professionals inexperienced with the dry needling technique, further controlled studies are still needed to prove the greater efficacy of this method.
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Chronic pain due to injury to or diseases of the nervous system, known as neuropathic pain (NP), is a common debilitating medication condition for which there are currently several symptomatically effective therapies. Therefore, early identification of NP in the primary and specialty care setting will avoid unnecessary delays in amelioration of symptoms. ⋯ This focused review will describe the primary NP assessment tools that are currently available, and discuss their suitability for screening patients and for research applications. Wider use of NP assessment tools will facilitate the development of new therapies, further clarify the epidemiology of this condition, and improve the treatment of NP.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2013
ReviewFibromyalgia comorbid with anxiety disorders and depression: combined medical and psychological treatment.
Fibromyalgia is associated with high level of pain and suffering. Lack of diagnosis leads to onerous indirect economic costs. Recent data indicate that fibromyalgia; anxiety disorders, and depression tend to occur as comorbid conditions. ⋯ Combined pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavior therapy should ideally be offered to all patients. Lifestyle changes, such as physical exercise should be encouraged. The message to patients should be that all forms of pain are true medical conditions and deserve proper care.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2013
ReviewConditioned pain modulation: a predictor for development and treatment of neuropathic pain.
Psychophysical evaluation of endogenous pain inhibition via conditioned pain modulation (CPM) represents a new generation of laboratory tests for pain assessment. In this review we discuss recent findings on CPM in neuropathic pain and refer to psychophysical, neurophysiological, and methodological aspects of its clinical implications. ⋯ Moreover, pre-treatment CPM evaluation may assist in the correct choice of serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor analgesic agents for individual patients. Evaluation of pain modulation capabilities can serve as a step forward in individualizing pain medicine.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2013
ReviewUpdate on neuropathic pain treatment: ion channel blockers and gabapentinoids.
Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic pain condition, which remains difficult to treat. The current mainstays of treatment include physical therapy, interventional procedures and medications. ⋯ It has been suggested that these medications may be useful to treat a variety of neuropathic pain conditions. This article provides several updates on the utility of both ion channel blockers and gabapentinoids for the treatment of neuropathic pain.