Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Oct 2023
ReviewChest Wall and Abdominal Blocks for Thoracic and Abdominal Surgeries: A Review.
The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date description and overview of the rapidly growing literature pertaining to techniques and clinical applications of chest wall and abdominal fascial plane blocks in managing perioperative pain. ⋯ Clinical evidence suggests that regional anesthesia blocks, including fascial plane blocks, such as pectoralis, serratus, erector spinae, transversus abdominis, and quadratus lumborum blocks, are effective in providing analgesia for various surgical procedures and have more desirable side effect profile when compared to traditional neuraxial techniques. They offer advantages such as reduced opioid consumption, improved pain control, and decreased opioid-related side effects. Further research is needed to establish optimal techniques and indications for these blocks. Presently, they are a vital instrument in a gamut of multimodal analgesia options, especially when there are contraindications to neuraxial or para-neuraxial procedures. Ultimately, clinical judgment and provider skill set determine which blocks-alone or in combination-should be offered to any patient.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Oct 2023
ReviewThe Emerging Role of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in Postoperative Analgesia.
Though peripheral nerve stimulation has long been utilized in the field of chronic pain management, its use in acute pain management in the postoperative period is relatively novel and warrants further consideration. ⋯ In the postsurgical period, peripheral nerve stimulation may offer an additional low-risk, opioid-sparing analgesic option, which is particularly pertinent in the setting of the ongoing opioid epidemic, as inadequate postsurgical analgesia has been shown to increase the risk of developing persistent or chronic postsurgical pain. In this review, we discuss the current literature that illustrate the emerging role of peripheral nerve stimulation as an effective treatment modality in the postoperative period for the management of acute pain, as various studies have recently been conducted evaluating the feasibility of utilizing percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation as an adjunct in postsurgical analgesia. Nonetheless, future studies are necessary to continue to elucidate the short- and long-term impacts of peripheral nerve stimulation use in acute postsurgical analgesia.
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Despite the unmet therapeutic needs of patients with chronic migraine (CM) and/or medication overuse, available treatment options are limited. Recently, four calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, known as gepants, have been approved for the treatment of migraine. This review focuses on the preventive treatment of CM with gepants and highlights recent findings. ⋯ Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown promising results for rimegepant and atogepant as preventive treatments for CM. In an RCT targeting patients with CM, atogepant demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean monthly migraine days, irrespective of acute medication overuse. Moreover, the patients reported no significant safety concerns and exhibited good tolerance to treatment. These findings highlight the potential of gepants as a new and effective therapeutic option for patients with CM and/or medication overuse. Gepant use will help improve the management and quality of life of individuals with this debilitating condition.
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Chronic migraine (CM) is a chronic form of migraine that differs from episodic migraine (EM) in terms of prevalence, comorbidities, response to treatment, and biomarkers. The aim of this review was to summarize the recent findings on serological biomarkers of CM. ⋯ Neuronal, inflammatory, and vascular markers have been investigated to assess their diagnostic and prognostic ability and treatment effectiveness. Several markers showed significant alterations according to disease status and treatment response in CM. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), glutamate, and adiponectin appear to be the most promising blood biomarkers for CM. Most studies have shown altered ictal and interictal levels of these markers in CM compared with those in EM and controls. Additionally, they showed a significant association with treatment outcomes. Total adiponectin and high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels were less studied as biomarkers of CM than CGRP and glutamate levels but showed promising results. The development of suitable biomarkers could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of CM and ultimately decrease the disability and societal costs of the disease.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2023
ReviewA Multimodal Conservative Approach to Treating Migraine: A Physical Therapist's Perspective.
Migraine is common and interventions to treat or manage it vary. Physical therapists possess a varied skill set that can assess and treat limitations related to migraine and its symptoms. Conservative and non-pharmacological examination and treatment techniques for migraine and headache management are reviewed in terms of efficacy and relevance in order to describe the physical therapist's abilities and clinical reasoning process when confronting a patient with migraine symptoms. ⋯ A thorough examination is necessary to detect red flags and will reveal a person with migraine's biopsychosocial limitations to manage their symptoms. Strength, endurance, cervical mobility, and visual deficits are common in those reporting headaches and examination techniques, along with patient-reported outcome measures, can elicit objective data for re-assessment during an episode of care. Exercise interventions, manual therapy, biofeedback techniques, and vestibular therapy have become viable and efficacious non-pharmacological interventions in recent years to assist the patient with managing and mitigating their migraine symptoms, along with mindfulness-based exercises. A case study, with individualized treatment approaches based on examination findings, current evidence, and accrued expertise, demonstrates the clinical applicability of a physical therapist's multimodal approach to treating migraine. Psychologically- informed physical therapy with mindfulness-based approaches and biofeedback can help a patient gain more control over their symptoms and their body's response to head pain, while exercise and vestibular therapy can assist the system with recovery and adaptation from deficits related to migraine symptoms. A thorough examination, with an individually- tailored rehabilitation plan incorporating movement and mindfulness-based therapies, is recommended.