Chronic Whiplash Pain
Key points • Physiatrists are ideally suited to diagnose and treat whiplash injuries, provided they appreciate the sources of chronic pain for this patient population. • Although most medical providers…
Nonopioid Medications for Pain
Evidence of nonopioid analgesic effectiveness exceeds that for long-term opioids in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), most with lower risk. Non-drug therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and physical activation are…
Complementary Medicine in Chronic Pain Treatment
This article discusses several issues related to therapies that are considered “complementary” or “alternative” to conventional medicine. A definition of “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) is considered in the context…
Pain and the Injured Worker
Physicians who treat injured workers with painful conditions face complex challenges that require skills beyond those of a clinician. To address these challenges effectively, physicians need to understand the logic…
Chronic Daily Headache
Chronic daily headache (CDH) is a challenging condition to treat. CDH is often accompanied by significant comorbidities, such as chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, which further complicate treatment. Unrealistic…
Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation
Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs are infrequently used in the United States in the treatment of chronic pain. Comprehensively addressing the contributors to chronic pain, which include behavioral, psychological, and physical…
Nutrition and Pain
Research is providing compelling evidence for Hippocrates’ oft quoted “Let food be thy medicine.” Despite this, most graduating physicians receive only a few hours of instruction about nutrition and coaching…
Psychiatric and Psychological Perspectives on Chronic Pain
Chronic pain patients often have psychiatric disorders that negatively influence their responses to treatment. Also, many of them have dysfunctional beliefs and coping strategies, even if they do not meet…
Exercise Therapy for Chronic Pain
The benefit of exercise for pain control likely comes from the impact of exercise on the endogenous opioid system and on central pain modulatory systems. Patients with some chronic pain…
