Chiropractic, Pain Research / 18.09.2024

Editor's note:   Be sure to check with your health care provider for new, persistent or changing pain before embarking on any therapeutic maneuvers. [caption id="attachment_63378" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Source[/caption] Lower back pain, a common issue affecting millions, can result from flawed posture, injuries, or chronic illnesses. Chiropractic treatment offers an effective, non-invasive method to alleviate this discomfort by concentrating on spinal adjustments and manipulations to restore alignment and improve mobility. Through targeted techniques, chiropractors help reduce pain and promote healing.  In this article, we will analyze effective chiropractic methods for relieving lower back pain and improving overall spinal health. 

Understanding Lower Back Pain(LBP)

Lower back pain is a widespread condition caused by muscle strain, poor posture, herniated discs, or underlying medical ailments like arthritis. It can occur due to sudden movements, prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, or age-related wear and tear on the spine. While common in older adults due to degenerative changes, lower back pain can affect people of any age, including young adults, athletes, etc. According to Statista, around 28% of American adults were found to have chronic lower back pain in 2022. More than 44% of adults having chronic back pain have been suffering for 5 years or more. The pain has deteriorated their quality of life. Risk factors that may cause back pain include obesity, sedentary lifestyles, lack of exercise, and certain occupations. Regardless of age, lower back pain can disrupt daily actions, limiting movement and quality of life for many individuals. Lower back pain (LBP) has impacted around 619 million people worldwide in 2020. The WHO estimates that this number will go up to 843 million by 2050.
Pain Research / 08.08.2024

topical-gels-pain-relief Pain management is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. While there are various methods to alleviate pain, topical gels have gained popularity due to their targeted approach and ease of use. Here are some of the key benefits of using topical gels for pain relief:

1. Targeted Relief

One of the primary advantages of topical gels is their ability to provide localized relief. Unlike oral medications that affect the entire body, topical gels can be applied directly to the affected area. This targeted approach ensures that the active ingredients are concentrated where they are needed most, potentially leading to faster and more effective relief.
Chiropractic, Pain Research / 20.06.2024

pain-painrelief-pexels-photo-4506105The unpleasant sensation of chronic pain can have a considerable impact on an individual's life. Frequently lasting for months or years, chronic can affect individuals in any part of the body and for a variety of reasons. Chronic pain conditions affect a large number of Americans, who are left with no choice but to resort to various alternative medicines and physiotherapy. This blog reflects the professional opinions of several pain management doctors and discusses their professional opinions regarding pain management techniques and treatments. Effective pain management hinges on a comprehensive approach that involves medication and appropriate therapy. Let us explore some of the best practices for pain management.

Understanding Pain and its Causes

The first stage in developing a pain treatment strategy is identifying pain's kind, origin, cause, and character. Understanding what may be causing pain allows for targeted treatment as different conditions demand varying and specific remedy methods. Patients can seek advice from the experienced and trusted doctors for pain management franklin tn to understand the nuances of their chronic pain, evaluate its intensity, and schedule the appropriate treatment process.
Chiropractic, Pain Research / 19.06.2024

chiropractic-care-chiropractor-pexels Although chiropractic care originated in China and Greece thousands of years ago, the practice of chiropractic care was formalized in 1895 in Iowa by D.D. Palmer when he manipulated a spine for a patient who was then healed of deafness and pain. Today, the advances in chiropractic training and experience have resulted in vastly-improved health outcomes and pain-free living for individuals worldwide.  Most people know how to find a good physician, but what elements are important in chiropractic care? What helps determine whether you will receive the care you need or not? If you ask friends for chiropractor recommendations, you may hear that one friendly chiropractor has a convenient office in the neighborhood, while another will recommend a female chiropractor who offers holistic care far beyond the basics. What elements should be included in effective chiropractic care?  

Element 1:   Training and Experience

Visiting a chiropractor can be daunting, especially on a first visit. Many times, individuals are uncertain regarding manipulations they’ve heard about. Stories circulate about chiropractors who pummel patients with hard-cracking spinal adjustments that simply cause more pain. However, the truth is far from that scenario and the best chiropractors have been fully trained and are experienced in chiropractic care. On a first visit, check to ensure the chiropractor is board certified and has experience in the field. The healing power of chiropractic care begins with a board certified chiropractor who has some years of experience. 
Author Interviews, Mental Health Research, Pain Research, Personalized Medicine / 10.05.2024

On your path to recovery after an injury, you’ll find that medical science keeps evolving. New treatments and tech are not just healing; they’re changing the game of how we bounce back. Guided by fresh insights into technology, we make sure your way back is as effective as it is straightforward. Photo by cottonbro studio Healing Faster: Breakthroughs in Recovery from Personal InjuriesUnderstanding the Latest Diagnostic Tools Enhancing Personal Injury Recovery In the realm of personal injury recovery, precision in diagnosis is key. Advanced imaging techniques such as High-definition fiber tractography (HDFT) now allow for a superior visualization of neural pathways. Medical pros can pinpoint where you’re hurt with such precision, crafting a rehab plan that fits just right. Thanks to biomarker technology, figuring out how long recovery will take has gotten a whole lot smarter. Imagine doctors using clues from your body’s own building blocks—genes and proteins—to create a recovery plan that’s all about you. It means less wondering, “Will this work?” and more knowing it will help stitch things back together quickly.
Author Interviews, Opiods, Pain Research / 29.03.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61512" align="alignleft" width="125"]Jay P. SolgamaMedical Student Department of Medical Education Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton PA Dr. Solgama[/caption] Jay P. Solgama Medical Student Department of Medical Education Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton PA   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The opioid crisis in the United States continues to escalate, with opioid-related deaths increasing by over 800% since 2000. Prescription opioids, particularly oxycodone, have been a contributor to this crisis, with substantial variations in their distribution observed across different states [1,2,3]. Against this backdrop, the study conducted by researchers from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine aimed to characterize the distribution of oxycodone across US states from 2000 to 2021. By analyzing data from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s comprehensive Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) databases, the study sought to identify trends and patterns in oxycodone distribution and their potential implications for opioid-related deaths [4,5].
Author Interviews, Hematology, Pain Research, Pediatrics / 10.12.2023

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61133" align="alignleft" width="124"]David Brousseau, MD, MSChair of Pediatrics Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Dr. Brousseau[/caption] David Brousseau, MD, MS Chair of Pediatrics Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder – the most common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting about 100,000 Americans (1 of every 365 Black births and 1 of every 16,3000 Hispanic-American births) (source: CDC). Pain is its most common symptom. Patients may experience acute or chronic pain or both. Acute episodes of pain, or pain crises, can vary in duration and severity. Many are treated at home; however when the pain is excruciating and cannot be treated at home, they lead to Emergency Department (ED) visits and even hospitalization. Reducing pain through prompt administration of pain medication in the ED is a core principle of national guidelines for SCD care. However, little data exists on how pain scores and changes in pain scores in the ED are associated with the patient’s disposition and the odds of a return visit.
Pain Research / 09.11.2023

“There is probably no other medical condition which is treated in so many different ways and by such a variety of practitioners as back pain.” – John Sarno. Chronic back pain is a pervasive and debilitating issue that affects millions of people around the globe. For many, it goes beyond just discomfort to crippling suffering on both physical and mental levels that can make life difficult in general. Though progress has been slow, there are some new discussions coming out of recent research findings that offer hope for those who have found themselves battling this type of chronic pain.
The BEST Trial's Hopeful Message for Back Pain Patients
Pexels: Medical Professionals Looking at the Screen of the Cellphone Medical Professionals Looking at the Screen of the Cellphone .jpegChronic back pain troubles many people. Often, it seems as if there is hardly any relief available to them, but there is new research going on that promises better results - The BEST trial. Led by Dr Daniel Clauw from the University of Michigan, along with a team specializing in pain treatment, they aim to find effective strategies that can be custom-fit for distinct individuals suffering from back pain. Around 800 patients will participate in this process. BEST stands for Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments. It's part of the BACPAC Research Program and is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases through the NIH HEAL Initiative. The goal here is simple yet profound: Understand which treatment or combination works best depending on unique traits specific to patients. This bird’s eye perspective could benefit all chronic low back-pain sufferers across America. Their findings might link specific characteristics (known as biomarkers) with different treatments’ effectiveness levels thus helping doctors help patients better. If everything goes according to plan, every chronic lower-back pain patient may receive their tailored treatment, setting them up towards a recovery road.
Author Interviews, Opiods, Pain Research / 07.10.2023

[caption id="attachment_60920" align="alignleft" width="200"]Leana Pande Leana Pande[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Leana Pande Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Buprenorphine is not a new drug. It was developed in the 1960s with the intent of providing the benefits of opioids, without the addictive side effects. Unlike many prescription opioids,1 use of this Schedule III drug is increasing.2 It is often characterized as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (Figure-Right). Buprenorphine is available in many routes of administration and also with (brand name Suboxone) or without naloxone. Buprenorphine is a first-line pharmacotherapy for pregnant women with OUD.3 This review was completed in order for the benefits, and risks, of buprenorphine to be more fully appreciated and inform utilization for both opioid use disorder (OUD) and the treatment of pain.
Addiction, Author Interviews, Pain Research / 01.12.2022

  MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_59795" align="alignleft" width="172"]Lavinia Harrison Lavinia Harrison[/caption] Lavinia Harrison Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, PA  18509 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response:   The opioid meperidine (Demerol) was widely prescribed in the United States (US) as an analgesic to treat moderate to severe pain. Meperidine was the most used opioid in the US in 1987 and was considered safer than other opioids during acute pancreatitis. Over the past two decades, meperidine has shifted from being frequently prescribed to being used only when patients are experiencing atypical reactions to opioids (e.g., morphine and hydromorphone); to removal from the World Health Organization's essential medication list and receiving strong warnings against its use from many professional organizations including the American Geriatrics Society. The unfortunate Libby Zion (1965-1984) case increased concerns about serotonin syndrome with meperidine. According to a prior pharmacoepidemiology report, the distribution of meperidine in the United States decreased by 95% between 2001 and 2019 [1]. The aim of the study was to include updated information (2020 and 2021) as well as examine the changes among Medicaid patients [2].
Pain Research / 19.10.2022

It is always a good idea to seek help with any spine and disc problems that you might be experiencing, especially when you are looking at ways of alleviating your pain. You will certainly be experiencing a fair amount of discomfort and pain if you have a slipped disc. Let’s take a look at what a slipped disc is and how it can have a detrimental impact on your health. Slip disc explained A good starting point would be to have an understanding of what a slipped disc actually is. It is a term used to describe when an intervertebral disc that is part of your spine physiology manages to lose its usual shape or its level of consistency diminishes. You might also hear a slipped disc described as a herniated or ruptured disc. It is one of the same things and there are various medical terms used to describe what is essentially a slipped disc. You will certainly be experiencing a fair amount of discomfort and pain if you have a slipped disc. Let’s take a look at bulging vs herniated disc and how each condition can have a detrimental impact on your health. You can experience a slipped disc as a result of a specific trauma incident, such as lifting an item that was too heavy. Or you could experience a slipped disc as a result of the aging process and you suffer natural degeneration.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Neurology, Pain Research / 29.03.2022

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_58952" align="alignleft" width="200"]William R. Renthal, MD, PhD Director of Research, John R. Graham Headache Center Department of Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School Dr. Renthal[/caption] William R. Renthal, MD, PhD Director of Research, John R. Graham Headache Center Department of Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School MedicalResearch.com:  What is the background for this study?  Response: We know that a nervous system structure called the trigeminal ganglion plays a critical role in migraine headache, but the cell types that exist in this structure are poorly understood. We have used cutting-edge, single-cell genomic technologies to profile the genes expressed within each trigeminal ganglion cell type in both human and mouse with the goal of identifying molecular features that could allow us to inhibit head pain selectively without affecting other cell types.
Addiction, Author Interviews, Cocaine, Pain Research / 18.08.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_57987" align="alignleft" width="200"]Youngeun Armbuster Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, Pennsylvania Youngeun Armbuster[/caption] Youngeun Armbuster Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, Pennsylvania MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Cocaine is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II drug that can be used as an anesthetic in various types of surgery by otorhinolaryngologists, as well as in diagnosing Horner syndrome. Although controlled doses of cocaine used in topical anesthetics does not cause myocardial infarction as can occur with recreational dosages, intranasal administration of cocaine is absorbed systemically and it results in vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries via stimulation of adrenergic receptors. These potential adverse effects may disincentivize health care providers from medical cocaine use. Our objective was to quantify the trends in licit cocaine distribution in the United States using DEA data and to determine the usage of medical cocaine in Medicaid and Medicare, as well as based on electronic medical records [1].
Author Interviews, NEJM, Neurology, Pain Research / 18.08.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_57964" align="alignleft" width="200"]Jessica Ailani M.D. FAHS FAAN FANA Director Medstar Georgetown Headache Center Vice Co-Chair of Strategic Planning for MedStar Neurology Professor of Clinical Neurology MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Dr. Ailani[/caption] Jessica Ailani M.D. FAHS FAAN FANA Director Medstar Georgetown Headache Center Vice Co-Chair of Strategic Planning for MedStar Neurology Professor of Clinical Neurology MedStar Georgetown University Hospital MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Migraine is a common neurological disease that causes disabling attacks that can be frequent. Preventive treatments can help reduce the frequency of attacks and improve patient function, reducing disease burden.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Clots - Coagulation, Hematology, Neurological Disorders, Pain Research / 22.05.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Daniel Chasman, PhD Pamela Rist, ScD, Yanjun Guo, MD, PhD Division of Preventative Medicine Brigham and Women’s Hospital  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: There has been speculation in the field about relationships between coagulation and migraine susceptibility for some time, but previous research has been largely inconclusive. In this study, we leveraged Mendelian randomization, a mode of genetic analysis that can support or refute potential causal effects on a health outcome, to examine whether hemostatic factors may contribute to risk of MA.
Author Interviews, Diabetes, Neurology, Pain Research / 10.12.2020

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/diabetes-prediabetes.htmMedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_56198" align="alignleft" width="200"]William K. Schmidt, Ph.D. Senior VP Clinical Development Dr. Schmidt[/caption] William K. Schmidt, Ph.D. Senior VP Clinical Development Helixmith Co. Ltd.  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How common is diabetic peripheral neuropathy and how does it affect patients? Response: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 34 million people in the United States have diabetes (about 10% of the U.S. population) and about one in four patients do not know that they have it.  Diabetes can cause significant damage to nerves in the feet, hands, eyes, and other parts of the body. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common form of nerve damage worldwide; it affects approximately half of the patients with diabetes (Iqbal et al., 2018).  In many individuals, severe burning, tingling, “pins and needles,” or cramping pain can occur simultaneously in both feet without external evidence of foot damage. Despite the pain, symptoms may be accompanied by numbness or loss of sensation in the feet. This is called painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (painful DPN or P-DPN) and may affect up to one-third of the general diabetic population (Yoo et al., 2013). P-DPN may cause increased anxiety and depression, sleep impairment, and difficulties with walking.  Up to one-third of P-DPN patients may require the use of a cane, walker, or even a wheelchair due to extreme foot pain.  Once P-DPN occurs, it may result in a lifetime of pain and disability. FDA-approved daily oral medications often used to treat P-DPN include Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Nucynta ER (tapentadol).  While these “neuropathic pain” medications may dull the pain for some subjects, they produce significant side effects that may be troubling for many patients. Indeed, many patients stop using these pain killers due to lack of effectiveness at doses that they can tolerate (van Nooten et al., 2017) There is also a topical 8% capsaicin patch, but again with limited efficacy. It is well known that the most severely affected patients may require opioid analgesics to control P-DPN (Pesa et al., 2013). None of the currently used medications have disease-modifying effects. However, our new injectable medication is now in advanced clinical development that has the potential disease-modifying effects lasting months after each treatment, with limited or no side effects for most patients aside from brief injection site discomfort.
Author Interviews, Gender Differences, JAMA, Pain Research / 29.09.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_55488" align="alignleft" width="150"]Jason Nagata, MD, MSc Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California  Dr. Nagata, MD[/caption] Jason Nagata, MD, MSc Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Although prior research has identified disparities in migraine by race and sex, little was previously known about disparities in migraine by sexual orientation.  MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?  Response: In a national sample of nearly 10,000 adults in the USA, we found that nearly one third of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals have experienced a migraine. Overall, we found that lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals had 58% higher odds of experiencing a migraine compared to heterosexual individuals. We also found that individuals who identified as mostly heterosexual but with some same-sex attractions were more likely to experience a migraine compared to those who identified as exclusively heterosexual.
Author Interviews, Pain Research / 28.07.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_54966" align="alignleft" width="160"]Hernan Bazan, MD DFSVS FACS CEO & Co-founder, South Rampart Pharma, LLC and Professor of Surgery, Section of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Program Director, Vascular Surgery Fellowship Ochsner Clinic  New Orleans, LA  70121 Dr. Bazan[/caption] Hernan Bazan, MD DFSVS FACS CEO & Co-founder, South Rampart Pharma, LLC and Professor of Surgery, Section of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Program Director, Vascular Surgery Fellowship Ochsner Clinic  New Orleans, LA  70121 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The work in this paper is in large part due to several active and productive collaborations to address a simple problem: introduce a safer way to treat pain. That is, without the risk of opioids (abuse potential), acetaminophen/paracetamol (liver toxicity) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/ibuprofen (kidney toxicity). Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity remains the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. with inadvertent hepatotoxicity the etiology in half of all case.  Our aim was to overcome this toxicity by creating acetaminophen analogs and this paper describes the rationale for this synthesis, the library of compounds used to select the lead compounds to develop, the consistent lack of hepatotoxicity cell lines and small animals, and its ability to reduce pain and fever in small animal studies. Moreover, we explain the mechanisms of action for the lack of hepatotoxicity. One mechanism for acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity is via formation of the electrophilic reactive metabolite, NAPQI. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to detect NAPQI, we observed that after CD1 mice were exposed to high doses (600 mg/kg) of either acetaminophen or SRP compounds, only acetaminophen-, but not SRP-compound-treated mice, generated the toxic metabolite NAPQI. Another mechanism for acetaminophen hepatotoxicity is loss of hepatic tight junctions and chicken wire’ hepatic tight junctions remain intact in SRP-treated animals while these junctions are lost in acetaminophen-treated animals. 
Author Interviews, JAMA, Pain Research / 11.06.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Tobias Kurth, MD, ScD (Pronouns: he/him) Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology Director, Institute of Public Health Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Migraine (with aura) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease but its absolute contribution in relation to other major vascular risk factors was not unclear.
Author Interviews, Neurological Disorders, Neurology, Pain Research / 11.05.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_54158" align="alignleft" width="160"]Holly Yancy, DO Headache medicine specialist Phoenix, AZ Dr. Yancy[/caption] Holly Yancy, DO Headache medicine specialist Banner – University Medicine Neuroscience Institute Phoenix, AZ Dr. Yancy comments on the recent Neurology journal article on the potential impact of yoga on migraine.  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How might yoga reduce migraine intensity or frequency?  Response: The authors of this trial have studied the benefits of yoga when added to medical management of episodic migraine. They expand on prior, smaller reports of the potential benefit of yoga and mindfulness to migraine patients with a well-designed study that shows yoga, as an adjunct to preventive medication, can lower the intensity, frequency and impact of migraines. Participants even used less abortive medication. The authors propose multiple potential mechanisms of action, including an increase in parasympathetic / decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity, decreased muscle tension, and stress management.
Author Interviews, Dental Research, JAMA, Pain Research / 19.03.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_53575" align="alignleft" width="142"]Dr. Romesh P. Nalliah BDS, MHCM Associate Dean for Patient Services Clinical Professor Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation Michigan Institute for Data Science Director, Synergy Program Dr. Nalliah[/caption] Dr. Romesh P. Nalliah BDS, MHCM Associate Dean for Patient Services Clinical Professor Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation Michigan Institute for Data Science Director, Synergy Program MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We designed and conducted this study because there is a paucity of knowledge related to opioid prescribing for acute dental pain.
Author Interviews, Neurology, Pain Research / 12.02.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_53142" align="alignleft" width="200"]Chun Yuen Fong Post-doc research fellow Center for Cognitive and Evolutionary Science University of Tokyo Dr. Fong[/caption] Chun Yuen Fong Post-doc research fellow Center for Cognitive and Evolutionary Science University of Tokyo  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Migraine is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders worldwide. However, what exactly trigger a migraine episode is not entirely clear despite years of research. Moreover, migraine sufferers often report having excessive sensitivity to light and certain patterns during the headache-free period. Some researchers suggested that such abnormal sensations were associated with the enhanced cortical hyperexcitability of the migraine sufferers. In our study, we aimed to build on this theory by comparing the neurophysiological activities between regular migraine sufferers and control using electroencephalography (EEG). Using the same research method, we also compared the neural activities between healthy participants who reported having more abnormal visual sensations to those with less.
Author Interviews, OBGYNE, Opiods, Pain Research / 28.01.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52986" align="alignleft" width="140"]Dave Stack Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Pacira BioSciences David Stack[/caption] Dave Stack Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Pacira BioSciences  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Cesarean sections (C-sections) are one of the most common surgeries in the United States, and research shows many women experience moderate to severe pain after this procedure. When postsurgical pain is inadequately managed for new mothers, it can interfere with recovery, maternal-infant bonding and may even lead to postpartum depression. Additionally, prescribing data reveals that postsurgical opioid consumption poses a great risk to women. We recently completed a Phase 4 study of EXPAREL in C-section patients, and results revealed adding EXPAREL to bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for C-section delivery provided significant reductions in opioids and pain scores. Results of that study provided the basis for the design of this next-generation study, which was created to be completely opioid-free in the EXPAREL arm. The study was a Phase 4 multicenter, active-controlled study conducted in 18 clinical sites in the United States, with 169 enrolled patients undergoing elective C-section. The enrolled C-section patients were randomized to receive either 150 mcg morphine spinal anesthesia plus a standard of care postoperative pain regimen, 50 mcg morphine spinal anesthesia plus EXPAREL TAP field block, or opioid-free spinal anesthesia plus EXPAREL TAP block. Patients in the EXPAREL arms received a protocol-defined non-opioid postsurgical pain management regimen including ketorolac, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. 
Author Interviews, OBGYNE, Pain Research / 17.01.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52845" align="alignleft" width="200"]Rafael Maldonado Lopez MD PhD Full professor Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona Dr. Maldonado Lopez[/caption] Rafael Maldonado Lopez MD PhD Full professor Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Endometriosis is a common, chronic and painful disease caused when the endometrium grows outside of the uterine cavity. These growths mainly affect organs in the pelvis causing pain and infertility, symptoms that are often accompanied with anxiety, depression, loss of working ability, and a substantial impact on quality of life. Current treatments include hormonal therapy and surgery, but the effectiveness of these treatments is rather limited, often have important unwanted side effects, and patients usually rely on self-management strategies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for researching new possible therapeutic approaches. 
Author Interviews, JAMA, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Research / 27.11.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52310" align="alignleft" width="133"]Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Christoph Schankin Consultant Head University Headache Clinic Department of Neurology Inselspital, Bern University Hospital University of Bern Dr. Schankin[/caption] Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Christoph Schankin Consultant Head University Headache Clinic Department of Neurology Inselspital, Bern University Hospital University of Bern MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Visual snow syndrome is a debilitating disorder with a continuous TV snow-like visual disturbance that persists over years. Patients have additional visual problems, such as severe afterimages, floaters or photophobia. The syndrome is associated with migraine and migraine aura, but the interaction between the two remains unclear.
Author Interviews, Pain Research, Rheumatology / 11.11.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_51988" align="alignleft" width="200"]Féline PB Kroon MD Department of Rheumatology Leiden University Medical Centre LUMC ·  Dr. Kroon[/caption] Féline PB Kroon MD Department of Rheumatology Leiden University Medical Centre LUMC · MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint condition that causes pain, functional disability, and decreased quality of life, for which patients frequently consult health-care providers. Symptoms usually fluctuate over time, with episodes of joint swelling and erythema. Evidence from previous studies has shown that inflammation plays an important role in the disease, being an important predictor for pain and radiographic damage progression. Therefore, we hypothesized that inflammation could be a treatment target in OA, and we investigated this using prednisolone, a potent anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of the HOPE study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of a six-week course of prednisolone 10 mg daily in patients with painful hand OA who had evidence of synovial inflammation.
Addiction, Author Interviews, Opiods, Pain Research / 04.11.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_52054" align="alignleft" width="145"]Jack E. Henningfield, PhD Vice President, Research, Health Policy, and Abuse Liability Pinney Associates Adjunct Professor of Behavioral Biology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Dr. Henningfield[/caption]   Jack E. Henningfield, PhD Vice President, Research, Health Policy, and Abuse Liability Pinney Associates Adjunct Professor of Behavioral Biology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine