Psoriatic arthritis
Brain marker can predict chronic pain
People who have a particular abnormality in their brain structure are more likely to develop chronic pain after a lower back injury, says research published in Pain.
US scientists carried out MRI scans on 46 people who had developed a lower back injury in the past four weeks but had not experienced any back pain in the previous year. A year later MRI scans were redone. By then, half of the patients had improvements in their back pain (regardless of any treatment they had). Continue reading
Ongoing codeine use is linked to increased pain sensitivity
Large and frequent doses of codeine may increase sensitivity to pain and do not offer the same quality of pain relief as morphine, say Australian scientists.
“People who take codeine every now and then should have nothing to worry about, but heavy and ongoing codeine use could be detrimental for those patients who have chronic pain and headache,” said Prof Paul Rolan at the 2013 International Headache Congress in the US. “This can be a very difficult issue for many people experiencing pain, and it creates difficulties for clinicians who are trying to find strategies to improve people’s pain.” Continue reading
Under the spotlight: osteopathy
Osteopathy has become a conventional alternative medicine and is even available on the NHS. Arthritis Digest reviews the evidence
‘Have you tried an osteopath?’ is a common question, but how many of us actually know what they are, what they do or how to find the right one? We’ve checked out the science, spoken to an expert and found some true stories for readers to digest.
Aromatherapy could treat post-operation nausea
Aromatherapy and intravenous administration of a sugar solution could offer an effective alternative to drugs when it comes to treating the nausea many experience after operations, says research published in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
A total of 301 people who were nauseous after surgery received one of four types of aromatherapy. Two groups received true aromatherapy, with essential oil of ginger or a blend of oils (ginger, spearmint, peppermint and cardamom) placed on a gauze pad. The other groups were given gauze pads with non-aromatherapy solutions: either rubbing alcohol or a saline solution (the placebo). Continue reading
New prescription powers for physios and podiatrists
Physiotherapists and podiatrists are to receive prescription powers in the UK for the first time, meaning easier access to treatment for people with arthritis.
The UK is the first country in the world where physios and podiatrists can prescribe medication to their patients, without consult GPs – from summer 2014 – but first they’ll have to complete a training course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Continue reading
