Depression Linked to Increased Menstrual Pain

Summary: Depression may increase the risk of menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, through mechanisms such as sleep disturbances. Using genetic analysis, researchers found that depression likely causes period pain, rather than…

Opioid-free surgery treats pain at every physical and emotional level

The opioid crisis remains a significant public health challenge in the United States. In 2022, over 2.5 million American adults had an opioid use disorder, and opioids accounted for nearly…

Listening to Music After Surgery Lowers Pain and Anxiety

Summary: A new study suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and even heart rate, aiding recovery. An analysis of 35 studies found that patients…

Endometriosis pain leads to missed school and work in two-thirds of women with the condition, new study finds

More than two-thirds of women with endometriosis missed school or work due to pain from the condition, in a study of more than 17,000 women between the ages of 15…

Morphine’s Pain Relief Mechanism Unveiled

Summary: Researchers have uncovered how morphine relieves pain by activating a specific group of neurons in the brain, termed the ‘morphine ensemble.’ These neurons, located in the rostral ventromedial medulla…

Molecule Discovery Could Revolutionize Chronic Pain Treatment

Summary: Researchers have identified a natural molecule, phosphatidic acid, that reduces the sensitivity of touch-sensing ion channels, providing a promising new avenue for managing chronic pain. By increasing levels of…

New treatments offer much-needed hope for patients suffering from chronic pain

Hundreds of millions of people around the world experience chronic pain – meaning pain that lasts longer than three months. While the numbers vary from country to country, most studies…

Teens & Screen Pain: Unveiling Netflix’s Impact on Youth Empathy

Summary: Popular Netflix shows and films expose adolescents to an average of 10 incidents of pain every hour, challenging portrayals of pain and suffering in media aimed at 12 to…

AI and Mindfulness: A New Way to Manage Pain

Summary: A new study examines the potential of artificial intelligence to shift chronic pain treatment from opioids to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Utilizing machine learning to analyze extensive patient data,…

Understanding that chronic back pain originates from within the brain could lead to quicker recovery, a new study finds

Most people with chronic back pain naturally think their pain is caused by injuries or other problems in the body such as arthritis or bulging disks. But our research team…