Opioids are overrated for some common back pain, a study suggests
New research calls into question prescribing the drugs even for short-term pain relief – especially given the risk of addiction.
Pain Relief
Medical Students Say Their Opioid Experiences Will Shape How They Prescribe
One medical student was addicted to opioids. Another relied on them to control disabling pain. Both think their experiences will help them be better doctors when it comes to prescribing opioids.
The Placebo Effect Works And You Can Catch It From Your Doctor
Doctor-patient interactions can make a big difference to the effectiveness of treatments. In a new study, even a fake pain treatment helped when doctors believed it was real.
Exercising To Ease Pain: Taking Brisk Walks Can Help
Never mind a runner's high — the buzz some people say they get after a run. Neuroscientist Benedict Kolber was more interested in how to generate pain relief via a brisk walk. It can really work.
Women May Be More Adept Than Men At Discerning Pain
Pain researchers say men and women respond differently to pain, and women may "feel more" pain than men. Understanding the differences in pain perception could lead to better treatments.
Poll: Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Says Pain Often Interferes With Daily Life
How do Americans experience and cope with pain that makes everyday life harder? We asked in the latest NPR-IBM Watson Health Poll.
Got Pain? A Virtual Swim With Dolphins May Help Melt It Away
A recent study found virtual reality experiences were better at easing pain than watching televised nature scenes. Immersive distraction seems key to the success, scientists say.
Pain Rescue Team Helps Seriously Ill Kids Cope In Terrible Times
An interdisciplinary team in San Francisco uses acupressure, massage, counseling and other methods, as well as medicine, to help kids get relief from chronic pain. But such pediatric centers are rare.
Improved Prosthetic Hand Has A Lighter Touch And Easy Grip
There's still much research to be done before the device is routinely useful. But one man was able to use it to gently grasp his wife's hand and feel her touch — an emotional moment, he says.
Motorcycle Crash Shows Bioethicist The Dark Side Of Quitting Opioids Alone
When medical bioethicist Travis Rieder tried to taper off pain medication after a roadway accident, he was disappointed by his doctors' reaction: "Everybody had a reason to send me to somebody else."