Targeting an opioid receptor calms itch A common side effect of opioids is intense itching — a problem for some patients who need the drugs for pain relief and for others fighting addiction. IMAGE: ZHOU-FENG CHEN, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ITCH AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS. Now,...
Tag: <span>chronic pain</span>
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How a gene mutation could help to treat chronic pain
Scientists have discovered a rare genetic mutation in one family that causes low sensitivity to pain, a discovery that could lead to new treatment strategies for chronic pain, which is one of the most debilitating conditions in the United States. Researchers suggest that mimicking a specific gene mutation that causes pain insensitivity could be one...
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Occupational therapy shown to improve lives of people in chronic pain
A new study from the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy shows that lifestyle-based occupational therapy treatment significantly improves the experiences of people living with chronic pain. “Having quantitative evidence for occupational therapy’s effectiveness in chronic pain management is really valuable,” said Ashley Uyeshiro Simon ’08, MA ’10, OTD ’11, the study’s lead author...
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Chronic pain amplifies the brain’s reaction to new injuries
Chronic pain in any one body part may distort the intensity with which a key brain region perceives pain everywhere else. This is the finding of a study in rats, which was led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center, published in the journal eLife, and presented at the annual meeting of the American Pain Society...
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Can virtual reality therapy help alleviate chronic pain?
Chronic pain due to disease or injury is common, and even prescription pain medications cannot provide acceptable pain relief for many individuals. Virtual reality as a means of distraction, inducing positive emotions, or creating the perception of “swapping” a limb or bodily area affected by chronic pain in a virtual environment can be a powerful...
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Optical control of a neuroreceptor alleviates chronic pain
Summary: Pain serves as a valuable warning signal, but when it becomes chronic, pain should be considered as a real disease. An international team has identified and controlled one of the centers associated with chronic pain. This work made it possible to relieve the symptoms in mice and demonstrated the ability of the brain to remedy...