Pain-blocking parasite points to non-opioid painkillers

Around one million people every year suffer from a parasitic condition known as cutaneous leishmaniasis. Spread by sandfly bites, the parasite causes nasty skin ulcerations but for many people the wounds are unexpectedly pain-free. For decades scientis… Continue reading Pain-blocking parasite points to non-opioid painkillers

Harvard scientists identify link between pain and poor sleep

Most of us have woken up with an aching back after a night of tossing and turning, only for that pain to then keep us awake the next night. Now, Harvard scientists have discovered a potential link between pain and poor sleep, and maybe even a way to br… Continue reading Harvard scientists identify link between pain and poor sleep

Harvard scientists identify link between pain and poor sleep

Most of us have woken up with an aching back after a night of tossing and turning, only for that pain to then keep us awake the next night. Now, Harvard scientists have discovered a potential link between pain and poor sleep, and maybe even a way to br… Continue reading Harvard scientists identify link between pain and poor sleep

New compound knocks out 4 types of pain with no side effects in study

After screening 27 million compounds, researchers have found a small-molecule drug that performed as well as a common painkiller with no side effects in rodent tests. The hope is that the finding could lead to better pain management for humans.Continue… Continue reading New compound knocks out 4 types of pain with no side effects in study

Existing drug boots out ‘sleeping’ bone cells to relieve lower back pain

In some heartening news for the 80% of Americans who will endure lower back pain in their lifetime, researchers have found that an existing drug can be redeployed to target ‘sleeping’, or senescent, osteoclast cells to significantly reduce spinal hyper… Continue reading Existing drug boots out ‘sleeping’ bone cells to relieve lower back pain

People with higher pain sensitivity more likely to vote for ‘other side’

A study has found that a high sensitivity to pain may increase the likelihood that someone will be sympathetic to opposing political views, and may even cause a Trump supporter to vote for Biden and a Biden supporter to vote for Trump.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading People with higher pain sensitivity more likely to vote for ‘other side’

Vitamin B3 may give cells the boost they need to reverse chronic pain

Short-lived, acute pain is a normal response to an injury and will steadily diminish as inflammation subsides. For some, however, this kind of pain develops into a chronic condition that persists for more than six months. Scientists have had little und… Continue reading Vitamin B3 may give cells the boost they need to reverse chronic pain

Bittersweet symphony: Our favorite music can help us deal with pain

A new study has found that listening to our favorite music and the emotional responses it produces, particularly if it’s bittersweet, is more effective at reducing our perception of pain than unfamiliar relaxation music. The findings suggest that music… Continue reading Bittersweet symphony: Our favorite music can help us deal with pain

Hand osteoarthritis symptoms relieved by an affordable existing drug

A new study has found that methotrexate, a widely available and affordable drug that’s usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, is effective at reducing the pain and stiffness suffered by people with hand osteoarthritis. U… Continue reading Hand osteoarthritis symptoms relieved by an affordable existing drug

Call to revise hand arthritis treatments due to efficacy concerns

Researchers have called for a review of current recommendations for treatment of hand osteoarthritis, after a broad study revealed that injections were shown to be as effective as a placebo in relieving pain. Looking at 72 studies involving 7,609 parti… Continue reading Call to revise hand arthritis treatments due to efficacy concerns