Current pain and headache reports
-
This review assesses the effectiveness and safety of light therapy, particularly green light therapy, as an emerging non-pharmacological treatment for chronic migraine (CM). It aims to highlight alternative or complementary approaches to traditional pharmacological remedies, focusing the need for diverse treatment options. ⋯ Despite sensitivity to light being a defining feature of migraine, light therapy has shown promising signs in providing substantial symptom relief. Studies have provided insights into green light therapy's role in managing CM. These studies consistently demonstrate its efficacy in reducing the frequency, severity, and symptoms of migraines. Additional benefits observed include improvements in sleep quality and reductions in anxiety. Importantly, green light therapy has been associated with minimal side effects, indicating its potential as a suitable option for migraine sufferers. In addition to green light, other forms of light therapy, such as infrared polarized light, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and intravascular irradiation of blood (ILIB), are also being explored with potential therapeutic effects. Light therapies, especially green light therapy, are recognized as promising, safe, and non-pharmacological interventions for treating CM. They have been shown to be effective in decreasing headache frequency and enhancing the overall quality of life. However, current studies, often limited by small sample sizes, prompt more extensive clinical trials to better understand the full impact of light therapies. The exploration of other light-based treatments, such as LLLT and ILIB, warrants further research to broaden the scope of effective migraine management strategies.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jul 2024
Review Comparative StudyComparison of the Efficacy of Different Radiofrequency Techniques for the Treatment of Lumbar Facet Joint Pain: Combined with Anatomy.
Lumbar facet pain is generally considered to be one of the major causes of chronic low back pain. Each lumbar facet joint is innervated by the medial branch of the posterior spinal nerve from its own level and above. Radiofrequency (RF) of the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve is an effective method for the treatment of lumbar facet pain. RF technology is diverse, including traditional radiofrequency (TRF), pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), cooled radiofrequency (CRF), low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation (CA), and other treatment methods. The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficacy of different radiofrequency techniques and to analyze the reasons for this in the context of anatomy. ⋯ There have been studies confirming the differences in efficacy of different RF techniques. However, most of the studies only compared two RF techniques, not four techniques, TRF, CRF, PRF, and CA, and did not analyze the reasons for the differences in efficacy. This article reviews the differences in the efficacy of the above four RF techniques, clarifies that the differences are mainly due to the inability to precisely localize the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve, analyzes the reasons for the inability to precisely localize the posterior branch of the spinal nerve in conjunction with anatomy, and proposes that the development of RF technology for lumbar facet pain requires more in-depth anatomical, imaging, and clinical studies.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jul 2024
ReviewPrimary Headache Associated with Sexual Activity: A Review of the Literature.
This review summarizes the evolution in diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of primary headache associated with sexual activity (PHASA). ⋯ Despite increased access to patient information and advances in imaging, the pathophysiology of PHASA remains not fully understood. There are many secondary headaches that may present with headache during sexual activity, and a thorough workup is indicated to rule out potentially life-threatening etiologies. Many recent case series discuss the efficacy of known treatments of PHASA, as well as suggest other potential therapies for this condition including the newer CGRP-targeted therapies. Headaches during sexual activity can be worrisome events which necessitate urgent evaluation, particularly when presenting with sudden-onset and severe "thunderclap" headaches. A thorough workup including imaging should be conducted to rule out etiologies such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstrictive syndrome (RCVS), vasospasm, and dissection. PHASA is commonly comorbid with migraine, tension-type headache, exertional headache, and hypertension. PHASA can present as a dull headache that progresses with sexual excitement, or an explosive headache at or around orgasm. Pain is primarily occipital, diffuse, and bilateral. The headaches are discrete, recurrent events with bouts that typically self-resolve, but may also relapse and remit or continue chronically in some patients. PHASA can be treated preemptively with indomethacin and triptans administered prior to sexual activity, or treated prophylactically with beta-blockers, topiramate, and calcium channel blockers. CGRP-targeted therapies may provide relief in PHASA based on a few case reports, but there are no randomized controlled trials looking at specific efficacy for these therapies.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jul 2024
ReviewCervical Spinal Cord Stimulation for Failed Neck Surgery Syndrome.
Cervical spine pain with or without radicular symptoms is a common condition leading to high utilization of the healthcare system with over 10 million medical visits per year. Many patients undergo surgical interventions and unfortunately are still left with neck and upper extremity pain, sometimes referred to as "Failed Neck Surgery Syndrome." When these options fail, cervical spinal cord stimulation can be a useful tool to decrease pain and suffering as well as reduce prescription medication use. ⋯ Spinal cord stimulation is a well-established therapy for chronic back and leg pain and is becoming more popular for neck and upper extremity pain. Recent studies have explored cervical spinal cord stimulation with successful outcomes regarding improved pain scores, functional outcomes, and reduction of prescription medication use. Continued research into cervical spinal cord stimulation is essential for maximizing its therapeutic potential for patients with chronic neck and upper extremity pain. This review highlights the importance of cervical spinal cord stimulation as an option for patients with failed neck surgery syndrome.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jul 2024
ReviewIPACK Block Efficacy for Acute Pain Management after Total Knee Replacement: A Review.
Patients often experience a significant degree of knee pain following total knee replacement (TKR). To alleviate this pain, nerve blocks may be performed such as the adductor canal block (ACB). However, ACBs are unable to relieve pain originating from the posterior region of the knee. A new type of nerve block known as the IPACK block may be used in conjunction with ACBs as it is designed to inhibit nerve branches innervating this area. In this article, we examine the rationale behind the IPACK procedure, how it is performed, and clinical trials examining its efficacy. ⋯ 5 of the 7 clinical trials examined in this article showed the IPACK + ACB block to show superior efficacy in treating pain following TKR compared to other blocks. These blocks included PMDI+ACB, SPANK+ACB, PAI+ACB, ACB alone, and SCAB. 2 of the 7 clinical trials showed the IPACK + ACB to be less effective in managing patients pain following TKR compared to other blocks which included the CACB and 4 in 1 block. In most instances, the IPACK + ACB showed superior efficacy in managing patients' pain following TKR when compared to other types of nerve blocks. This was determined by measuring usage of opioids, reported postoperative pain, and length of hospital stays following TKR. Thus, we suppose the IPACK block may be used in conjunction with the ACB to effectively reduce patient's pain following TKR.