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Chronic pain can lead to inactivity, functional impairments, and prolonged disability. Some of the potential secondary consequences of pain related avoidance of typical daily activities include unemployment, a loss of independence, and an increased risk of other chronic diseases including...
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As we acknowledge the recent increases in deaths and other negative outcomes associated with chronic opioid use, abuse, and overdose, we as clinicians are faced with very important questions: Can opioids be rationally prescribed for chronic pain? For whom? How? For how long? Recent CDC guidelines...
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Functional pain syndromes (irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, etc) are commonly seen in primary care and by pain medicine practitioners. For example, fibromyalgia affects 5 million people and interstitial cystitis 8 million women per year, and the etiologies...
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Controversies continue to exist regarding safe and appropriate management of people with chronic pain. The "pendulum has swung in the other direction" with respect to the utility, safety, and efficacy of the use of opioids as a key component of chronic pain treatment. It seems to be unclear to many...
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Counterfeiting is big business. In 2012, counterfeit auto parts accounted for $4 billion in the US and $12 billion globally; electrical parts were $15 billion; personal care $4 billion; aerospace & defense accounted for 520,000 counterfeit parts in the US, and >5% of wine sold on the secondary...
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For decades, the concept of morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD) or some variant thereof has been routinely utilized clinically (eg, for opioid rotation) as well as in research as a dependent variable. However, recently, the concept has been demonstrated to be a scientifically invalid course...
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the fastest growing major health condition with symptomatic disease affecting approximately 46 million people in the US. Hyaluronic acid gives synovial fluid the viscous quality that helps to lubricate and absorb shock. Joints affected by OA have poorer quality and less...
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Managing risk is an essential part of medical practice, particularly in light of the reported increase in morbidity and mortality associated with the use of opioids. Recent anecdotal data indicate that as a result of the "opioid crisis," patients are being told by their prescribers that they can no...
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Although many providers have experience in advising their patients to use topical analgesics for treatment of various types of acute and chronic pain conditions, there are new insights into just how important the skin is in evaluating and treating people with chronic pain. In this translational...
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Pain and restrictions on movement are often inextricably linked. The pain of movement and the tendency to hold oneself still in order to avoid further pain can have a residually negative impact in a disease trajectory. Compelling research in music and medicine illuminates the therapeutic benefits of...