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Open Access. Abstract Introduction: Critical for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain is the anatomical distribution of pain. Several body maps allow patients to indicate pain areas on paper; however, each has its limitations. Objectives: To provide a comprehensive body map that can be universally applied across pain conditions, we developed the electronic Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) self-report body map by performing an environmental scan and assessing existing body maps. Methods: After initial validation using a Delphi technique, we compared (1) pain location questionnaire responses of 530 participants with chronic pain with (2) their pain endorsements on the CHOIR body map (CBM) graphic. A subset of participants (n = 278) repeated the survey 1 week later to assess test-retest reliability. Finally, we interviewed a patient cohort from a tertiary pain management clinic (n = 28) to identify reasons for endorsement discordan

"Given the startling statistics of the opioid epidemic, it's no surprise that many are searching for safer ways to manage their pain. Whether they want to avoid the risks associated with conventional medications or feel they've exhausted other options, more and more people are turning to cannabidiol (CBD) for pain. So, what exactly is CBD? Does it really relieve pain? What does science say? Let's look at some CBD facts and examine the evidence around using CBD for pain."

Recommended by Deaunne - "A 25 YEAR JOURNEY BEGINS In 1992, the jeep Richard Hanbury was driving was forced to crash off a bridge in Yemen. He was pronounced clinically dead for 8 minutes and then in a coma for 6 weeks. After waking up, he spent the next 14 months in the hospital.  The doctors gave Richard five years to live due to the extreme chronic nerve damage pain. After a lightbulb moment while watching a film in hospital, he began the journey to save his life. To produce the most lasting pain relief, he experimented with the different neuromodulation patterns and bio-metric sensors which normalized how his brain processed pain signals. Since 1993, Richard Hanbury has been pain-free and has tested his technology with the British Special Air Service, U.S. Air Force, Richard Branson Virgin Challenger flights, and the first Solar Impulse flight around the world."

"A new electronic self-report body map is an innovative tool for precision health." The CHOIR body map is validated in almost 600 people with chronic pain. Our results demonstrated excellent performance of the map in all of these validation studies. Furthermore, we used the interviews with participants and their suggestions to further optimize the body map. Clinicians and researchers have used the CHOIR body map in over 100,000 assessments across the CHOIR network worldwide.

"Ultrasound Technique Targeted at Neurons in Bid To Treat Chronic Pain"

"Reflecting on fond memories goes a step beyond making you feel warm and fuzzy: nostalgia can reduce pain perception. Nostalgia decreases activity in pain-related brain areas and decreases subjective ratings of thermal pain, according to research recently published in JNeurosci."

"To deal with chronic pain, Pamela Bobb's morning routine now includes stretching and meditation at home in Fairfield Glade, Tenn. Bobb says this mind-body awareness intervention has greatly reduced the amount of painkiller she needs. Jessica Tezak for NPR" ~ 6 minute listen

A novel device and method for the objective measurement of pain and analgesic drug effect in children's

"The topic of placebo effects is distinguished by decades of keen scientific interest1-4 coupled with a general skepticism regarding the ultimate significance of these phenomena. The importance of psychologic factors in mediating these effects may contribute to the attitude that placebo effects are not as substantial as a therapeutic effect produced by a drug. Complementary and alternative therapies have sometimes been dismissed as "mere placebos." However, recent studies have provided compelling evidence that placebo effects are physiologically measurable with condition-specific pathways.5"

Dr. Jake Fleming recently suggested these potent keywords: quantifiable placebo The keywords led to this article. I find it affirming and empowering.

"Starting with an open-mind, questioning the foundational science, and conducting his own studies, Dr. Sarno discovered something revolutionary - the cause of most chronic back and body pain is not due to an underlying physical issue, but a specific way the brain and body interact.   "

"Abstract This study examined the adherence to and the potential benefit of Kundalini yoga (KY) for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Participants were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of a KY small-group intervention or a waitlist control (WLC). Adherence was measured as attendance at KY group sessions. Primary outcomes assessed pain, pain interference, fatigue, and global health. Secondary outcomes assessed multisystem symptom burden, mood, sleep, physical and social functioning, cognition, and mindfulness. Linear mixed models were used to test changes in outcomes over time as a function of group assignment; intercepts for participants were modeled as random effects. Although the target sample size was 40 participants, the study concluded with 29 participants due to recruitment challenges. No KY participants dropped out of the study, and participants attended 75% of group sessions on average, but WLC retention was poor (57%). Regarding primary outcomes, there was no significant interaction between group and time. Regarding secondary outcomes, there was a significant interaction between group and time for multisystem symptom burden (p < 0.05) and cognition (p < 0.01); KY participants reported improved multisystem symptom burden and cognition over the course of the study compared to WLC participants. To enhance recruitment and retention, future trials may consider expanding geographic access and including supportive procedures for WLC participants. This preliminary study supports the need for a larger study to determine if KY reduces multisystem symptom burden and enhances cognition among people with PTLDS."

"Multiple Chronic Conditions Community: People who live with multiple complex, chronic, persistent, painful and often mystifying health conditions are not only resilient but wise due to the expertise gained from managing MCCs and navigating healthcare systems. Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) can benefit from their expertise. People who help patients manage their health whether as professional care providers, insurance providers, policy makers, researchers, family or friends who care each day about these patients are also considered members of the MCC community. Building a diverse multi-stakeholder team to design CER studies to improve health outcomes for MCC patients requires a thoughtful and person centered approach to building a research community. "

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury is a condition that can have negative repercussions on the patient's quality of life. Its treatment is complex and sometimes the outcome is insufficient. Cannabinoids have recently been used in multiple sclerosis to successfully treat spasticity that is refractory to other therapies. AIM: To quantify the clinical response of a group of patients with spastic chronic spinal cord injury to the orally administered drug delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-cannabidiol (Sativex®) as medication for use in special situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research consists of a six-month observational study in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries with refractory spasticity. The variables collected were: modified Ashworth scale, Penn spasm frequency scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale for pain. Additionally, clinical variables and side effects of the treatment were also collected. RESULTS: Fifteen patients took part in this study. A significant improvement was observed on three of the scales recorded: modified Ashworth scale (z = -2.97; p = 0.003), Penn spasm frequency scale (z = -2.76; p = 0.006) and Numeric Rating Scale (z = -3.21; p = 0.001). The use of the drug was withdrawn in two patients due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Sativex can be considered an alternative in patients with spasticity associated with chronic spinal cord injury for whom other therapeutic measures have been insufficient. Further studies need to be conducted before the use of this drug can be recommended and so as to define a complete profile of its long-term side effects.

"The Center is actively conducting numerous integrative health projects, including those examining effects of meditation, tai chi, acupuncture, guided imagery, journaling, and Ayurveda in heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and pain patients."

"With approximately 133M Americans (more than 40% of the US population) suffering from one or more chronic diseases, the healthcare community is looking for more effective and efficient ways to manage chronic diseases. Part of that pursuit is in finding sustainable ways to help patients better understand their conditions and manage their health by empowering patients, connecting them to information, care, and therapies in ways they want. Join fellow innovators to work on a challenging, multi-faceted, meaningful opportunity to advance clinical care, quality of life, and outcomes for nearly half the US. How can we improve patient literacy and clinical understanding? How do we help patients feel more in-control of their medical care? What can be done to help patients understand when and where they should seek care? These are just some of the pain points begging for thoughtful, tech-enabled solutions."

Recommended by Sharon Wampler "How we see the world shapes who we choose to be - and sharing compelling experiences can frame the way we treat each other, for the better. This is a powerful perspective. As someone with a chronic illness, I shouldn't have to advocate for myself when I'm at my most ill. Is it too much to expect doctors to believe the words that I have to force out, amidst spikes of pain, after I've dragged myself to the emergency room? Yet so often I've found that doctors only look at my patient history and actively ignore most of what I've said."

"Dr. Mignosa had the opportunity to transform his own experience with injuries and pain through an integrative approach to healing. During his teenage years, he was an avid athlete who battled constant injuries. Eventually, a surgeon told him that he should quit running. At the age of 16, Dr. Mignosa rejected this opinion and questioned the mindset of how medicine treats disorders of structure and function. Instead, he embraced a mindset of building health and focused on educating himself on health and healing."

"Can our thoughts and feelings really miraculously heal, or slowly destroy our physical health and well being? Join us as we interview top researchers, best-selling authors, and field experts about the astonishing ways the mind can affect the body. Powered by Curable, an online program that uses mindbody techniques to relieve chronic pain."

Keyword: Placebo

"Summary Wearable activity trackers offer an appealing, low-cost tool to address physical inactivity. This systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (umbrella review) aimed to examine the effectiveness of activity trackers for improving physical activity and related physiological and psychosocial outcomes in clinical and non-clinical populations. Seven databases (Embase, MEDLINE, Ovid Emcare, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched from database inception to April 8, 2021. Systematic reviews of primary studies using activity trackers as interventions and reporting physical activity, physiological, or psychosocial outcomes were eligible for inclusion. In total, 39 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified, reporting results from 163 992 participants spanning all age groups, from both healthy and clinical populations. Taken together, the meta-analyses suggested activity trackers improved physical activity (standardised mean difference [SMD] 0·3-0·6), body composition (SMD 0·7-2·0), and fitness (SMD 0·3), equating to approximately 1800 extra steps per day, 40 min per day more walking, and reductions of approximately 1 kg in bodyweight. Effects for other physiological (blood pressure, cholesterol, and glycosylated haemoglobin) and psychosocial (quality of life and pain) outcomes were typically small and often non-significant. Activity trackers appear to be effective at increasing physical activity in a variety of age groups and clinical and non-clinical populations. The benefit is clinically important and is sustained over time. Based on the studies evaluated, there is sufficient evidence to recommend the use of activity trackers."