News & Updates
The Pain Refugees: The forgotten victims of America’s opioid crisis
Published by Harper's Magazine It began with a loud pop. Though Austin Sell had suffered from severe back pain since childhood, on a clear autumn morning in 2011, not long after his twenty-first birthday, the pain became something much more frightening. He was chasing...
read moreHas the opioid pendulum swung too far? Finding the balance between pain and addiction
Published by The Morning Call Dr. Kenneth Choquette knows the kind of chronic pain his patients endure every day. Without opioid pills, some cannot work, sleep or do simple chores like wash the dishes. “If I take pain medication away from a patient who is properly...
read moreChronic pain is a public health issue
by Olivia Carter-Pokras, PhD In 2010, I was invited to join the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education—not as an “expert” in chronic pain, but, as an epidemiologist (science of public health) and health disparities...
read morePart II. Multiple Chronic Conditions: How Are They Viewed by Medicare?
Published by National Pain Report As of April 2, 2018, the Center for Medicare Services has adopted modifications to its program requirements for prescribing of opiate medications in the Part D pharmacy program, implementing the recommendations generated by the Center...
read moreI Have An Invisible Illness. Here’s How One Photoshoot Made Me Feel Seen
Published by Bustle I’m nervous as I cross the Bay Bridge into San Francisco. I tap my hand to the beat of the music against the gear shift, foot pushing down on the gas. I have extra outfits piled in the backseat so the photographer I’m shooting with can decide what...
read morePediatric Pain Program Announced by US Pain Foundation
Published by National Pain Report “There is a huge unmet need when it comes to chronic pain for all people but it is even greater with our kids who have pain.” With those words, US Pain Foundation President Paul Gileno announced a new program his organization is...
read moreTo Reduce Opioid Prescriptions, Tomah VA Looks To Acupuncture, Other Nontraditional Therapies
Published by Wisconsin Public Radio The Tomah VA Medical Center is using nontraditional therapies for pain and mental health as they continue to address former problems with over-prescribing medication at the facility. Tomah is one of 18 veterans hospitals across the...
read moreMedically Marginalized
Published by ProHealth — by Lesli Hill, PAINS Project Volunteer Coordinator The medical community has theoretically embraced the importance of the patient-centered experience. Almost every hospital describes their care as compassionate and focused on the needs and...
read moreVet lawyers got desired ‘undiagnosed pain’ case to win on appeal
Published by Stars and Stripes Lawyers at the nonprofit National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) had been screening Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions for years, looking for just the right case involving denial of disability compensation to a veteran...
read moreCognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation Can Benefit Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Suggests
Published by Fibromyalgia News Today Researchers report that non-pharmacological treatment strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness meditation, can be useful for treating patients with fibromyalgia. The review study, titled “Evidence-Based...
read morePeople using opioids for chronic pain stigmatized
Published by Lethbridge Herald Efforts to limit access to opioids through prescriptions could cause undue hardships for people dealing with chronic pain, says a local advocate. As well, there are many dealing with chronic pain who feel they are dealing with a stigma...
read morePAINS Reflection
by Clint Cole, III, PAINS Research Intern I have to admit that the first time I sat down to meet with Myra Christopher, I was terrified. After graduating with my biology degree from Truman State University, I decided to take a gap year to apply to medical school and...
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