It is unsurprising that there are few-to-no impressively effective treatments for chronic non-specific low back pain. The clue is in the “diagnostic” label. Non-specific low back pain represents the vast majority of cases for whom our traditional diagnoses don’t explain a great deal. If we can’t put our finger on what is causing it, we are … [Read more...]
Is GDR effective in the treatment of chronic neck pain?
March 21, 2013 by 4 Comments
It was in 2005 that I came up with the idea of a “gaze direction recognition" (GDR) task as a possible treatment for chronic neck pain. At that time some of the rehabilitation patients visiting my rehabilitation department had suffered from neck pain for a long time because of cervical strain or previous cervical spine surgery. In those days, … [Read more...]
The Danes are showing up the rest of us!!
March 18, 2013 by 6 Comments
The Danes have made a good claim for the nation most interested in solving the problem of chronic pain! Led by their noble and energetic super-pain guy, Mr Morten Hogh, 20 righteous campaigners will slip into a very stylish Ride for Pain jersey and Get moving for chronic pain research, in UniSA's Ride for Pain at your place! I would have … [Read more...]
A stress model of chronic pain
March 15, 2013 by 3 Comments
The common elements making an event stressful to anybody are novelty, unpredictability, threat to the ego, and loss of sense of control. People suffering from chronic pain know how stressful spontaneous pain can be. The reciprocal influence of stress over the neural activity contributing to chronic pain has recently received growing interest from … [Read more...]
Structural changes in chronic pain. The innocent bystander?
March 12, 2013 by 2 Comments
Most BiM readers will be familiar with a body of research indicating that chronic pain is associated with apparent structural changes in the brain. We’ve discussed this issue here at length (see here and here). These findings, principally of reductions in grey matter density across a smattering of brain regions, have led researchers, myself … [Read more...]
A Painful Yarn part one
March 5, 2013 by 4 Comments
I was riding my bike on my normal route to work. Then it happened, like a blink. A jeep that was not supposed to be there was there, coming at me. No time to change course or apply brakes, just brace for impact.I was headed west bound on a two lane road. Entering a light controlled intersection on a green light. A Jeep Cherokee in the … [Read more...]
Body posture influences tactile sensation during the preparation of movement
March 1, 2013 by 3 Comments
Have you ever had your scalp massaged with an orgasmatron? And then tried to re-instate the pleasure yourself but it just did not feel the same? It appears that a short time delay needs to be present between the movement of the hand and the experienced tactile sensation, in order for us to assign an external cause to the felt sensation. As a … [Read more...]
Should we turn away people with CRPS?
February 26, 2013 by 20 Comments
Two foods I love eating regularly (and that’s probably not a good thing for the latter) are tuna and ice cream. Thankfully, I have a firm grasp of the concept that some things just weren’t made for mixing.You might think this is a funny way to start a blog post on CRPS… but I promise you the Adelaide heat hasn’t fried my brain. I … [Read more...]
No better than the flip of a coin?
February 22, 2013 by 7 Comments
I read a disturbing review recently, about the state of the art treatment for persistent pain as being topical amitriptyline or removal of the offending tissue. If we were discussing low back pain most would agree these would be ridiculous treatment options. Imagine my crinkled nose of disdain to find this commentary in July 2012 regarding the … [Read more...]
Central Hypersensitivity in Chronic Shoulder Pain
February 19, 2013 by 31 Comments
Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain that has multiple causes (subacromial bursitis to rotator cuff tendinopathy and full-thickness rotator cuff tears). Unfortunately, for almost half of people afflicted with this syndrome, medical treatment is not successful and they will continue to have shoulder pain 2 years … [Read more...]
Mind and machine: moving from rehabilitation to restoration?
February 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Many futuristic movies and books depict humans with upgrades. Extra limbs or special abilities are common and some even create a hybrid of human and machine as in Robocop. This post will look at just how real that hybrid is and how technology and neuroscience are allowing this to happen.‘60 minutes’ in the US recently showed a segment … [Read more...]
Distilling the highs of cannabis-based pain relief
February 12, 2013 by 2 Comments
Doctors still debate about treating chronic pain with cannabis. At present, the evidence of benefit[1] does not clearly outweigh the long-term risks of cannabis to mental health.[2] Cannabis contains many chemicals but only delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has significant pain-relieving properties. Unfortunately, THC is also responsible for the … [Read more...]
Ride for Pain At Your Place!
February 8, 2013 by 3 Comments
GET MOVING FOR CHRONIC PAIN RESEARCH! In conjunction with UniSA's Ride for Pain, and PainAdelaide 2013, we are giving YOU ALL the opportunity to GET INVOLVED. If you can’t make it to Adelaide in April, Ride for Pain anyway, by taking part in Ride for Pain at your place! Simply register here. It will cost you AUD$70. We will send you your … [Read more...]
Finding the love between scientists and clinicians – a response to Dr Butler on noijam
February 4, 2013 by 18 Comments
I am thrilled that Dr David Butler; he of the custard tart; the Duke of Irreverence; the internationally acclaimed clinical revolutionary, has started a blog. I am chuffed that he showed me his first post before it went live. And I could not help but respond because it takes two to tango and I have a few thoughts on this issue myself.I have … [Read more...]
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