Cannabinoids and opioids share several pharmacologic properties. They might act synergistically to manage pain, but the safety of the combination isn’t known.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, undertook a study to answer these questions. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, studied the clinical impact of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise alone vs both for patients with chronic widespread pain. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, reviewed the adverse events associated with needle acupuncture in children. (more…)

Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. (more…)

Researchers in Massachusetts and Virginia updated changes in this coping tool between 2002 and 2007. (more…)

In this Cochrane review, researchers in Australia and the UK evaluated the evidence for directly altering brain activity with electrical stimulation to reduce chronic pain. (more…)

Women with endometriosis may complain of chronic pelvic pain, most notably dysmenorrhea.

Researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, reviewed the evidence for acupuncture.  (more…)

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, compared acupuncture to nurse-led supportive care in patients with incurable cancer. (more…)

Intermittent claudication is a diagnosis for muscle pain (ache, cramp, numbness, or sense of fatigue) typically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise and is relieved by a short period of rest.

Researchers at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, in Oklahoma City, compared home-based exercise to a supervised exercise program. (more…)

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Prof. Ernst and a colleague reviewed previous Cochrane reviews. (more…)

Researchers at Umea University, in Sweden, report on the experiences of people with chronic pain after Feldenkrais group intervention. (more…)

Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but there are doubts about its effectiveness and safety.

Prof. Ernst and colleagues are critical of acupuncture as a treatment of pain. Here, they summarize reports of serious adverse effects published since 2000. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Geneva School of Medicine, in Switzerland, evaluated the response to highly purified chondroitin 4&6 sulfate (CS) in patients with hand osteoarthritis. (more…)

Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, collected information from pain physicians and referral physicians who manage the care of patients in pain. (more…)

Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. (more…)

Some are effective, some are promising, according to researchers from the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill. (more…)

Researchers at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK investigated the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS) in patients with latent upper trapezius trigger points compared to placebo.

Trigger points are discrete, localized, hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle, which can produce referred pain and tenderness. (more…)

Thermal injury can cause severe physical and psychologic trauma. And, these patients commonly have severe itching and pain.

Researchers at Atatürk University, in Erzurum, Turkey, examined the effects of massage therapy on burned adolescents with pain, itching, and anxiety. (more…)

Medical cannabis is associated with a number of adverse medical and psychiatric consequences.

Dr. Gary Reisfield (photo), who is Chief of Pain Management Services at the University of Florida College of Medicine, in Gainesville, has reviewed the risks. (more…)