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Chronic pain Archive

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Read More about Chronic inflammation and your joints
Chronic inflammation and your joints

Chronic inflammation and your joints
The immune system sometimes launches a chronic inflammatory response in certain joints. That leads to pain, stiffness, and joint damage known as inflammatory arthritis. It’s usually unknown what triggers the conditions. Types of inflammatory arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis. Treatments include medications, such as biologic or nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and lifestyle habits, such as exercising, avoiding processed foods, reducing stress, not smoking, and getting enough sleep. Wearing a splint or brace on affected joints and seeking physical therapy may also help ease pain.
Read More about Are home pain relief gadgets safe for use?
Are home pain relief gadgets safe for use?

Are home pain relief gadgets safe for use?
It’s best to talk to one’s doctor before buying a pain relief gadget. The product may not work, it may cost a lot of money, it might be dangerous, or it might encourage the user to delay medical treatment. Some high-tech pain relief devices may be effective for some people, such as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine. And some low-tech devices may also help relieve pain, such as foam rollers, handheld massagers, and heat or cold packs.
Read More about High-intensity walking may reduce leg pain from artery disease
High-intensity walking may reduce leg pain from artery disease

High-intensity walking may reduce leg pain from artery disease
Peripheral artery disease is a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs and often cause leg pain from walking. A new study found that a high-intensity walking program that causes some discomfort may improve walking performance.
Read More about Treating a pinched nerve
Treating a pinched nerve

Treating a pinched nerve
Read More about Shaking off shingles
Shaking off shingles

Shaking off shingles

Shingles is a painful neurological condition that is more likely to attack as people age. Left untreated, it can increase risk for chronic pain, blindness, and other long-term health problems.

Read More about What you can do to keep old ailments from coming back to haunt you
What you can do to keep old ailments from coming back to haunt you

What you can do to keep old ailments from coming back to haunt you
Read More about When pain slows your new walking regimen
When pain slows your new walking regimen

When pain slows your new walking regimen
There are lots of aches and pains that can slow down a new walking regimen. Examples include heel pain from plantar fasciitis, shin pain from spinal stenosis, and joint pain from osteoarthritis. Treatment varies, depending on the cause. Once pain has been addressed, it’s important to set realistic goals for a walking routine, starting with five or 10 minutes per day and gradually increasing the time. Doctors recommend an ultimate goal of 30 minutes of daily brisk walking.
Read More about Sickle cell disease: Ways to help teens and parents
Sickle cell disease: Ways to help teens and parents

Sickle cell disease: Ways to help teens and parents
Children with sickle cell disease are at higher risk for many health problems and possible complications get more serious as children grow into adults. Here are ways for parents to support teens with SCD in learning to take care of themselves.
Read More about Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?

Several heavily-advertised products that are applied to the skin claim to relieve muscle or joint pain, but are not regulated by the FDA, and none of them offers any solid scientific evidence to back up their claims. So are they worth trying?

Read More about The 3 main options for physical rehabilitation
The 3 main options for physical rehabilitation

The 3 main options for physical rehabilitation

Inpatient, outpatient, and at-home rehab all aim to restore your function and independence.

Have shoulder pain? Recovering from traumatic illness, surgery, or a bad fall? Your doctor may well recommend physical rehabilitation or physical therapy to get you back to your daily routine and the activities you love. There are several options available, depending on your needs.

1. Inpatient rehab

Inpatient rehab is prescribed after a hospital stay, when you're not well enough to go home. It offers comprehensive care from doctors, nurses, therapists, and other health professionals. There are two types of this rehab.

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