Pain Research Breakthroughs in 2016

There is still much about pain the medical community does not understand. This opens the door to more research that can improve treatments. While some years see more progress than others in pain research, 2016 saw several developments in pain relief methods.

Links to Protein Inflammation

One of the most frustrating aspects of chronic back pain for many patients is that they can’t determine the source. The cause can be so difficult to find that general health physicians may tell patients that they are imagining the discomfort. According to the Harvard Gazette, scientists may have found the missing link between pain and biology. Researchers found a protein within the brain that is more active than usual in patients with chronic pain symptoms. Knowing what this protein is, how it affects someone, and how it can be addressed is a big step towards deciphering the mystery.

The Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is the instance of feeling intense, overwhelming fatigue for over six months. While most people can often address fatigue with rest, it does not seem to improve the exhaustion felt by those who have this condition. Researchers at the University of Alabama discovered that the cause of these symptoms may be from overstraining muscles and nerves. In other words, something as simple as holding up your leg long enough to produce strain can bring CFS symptoms. Much like with the protein link, understanding why CFS happens in the first place is vital to finding out how to cure it.

Pain Relief For Women Who Give Birth

Some women experience acute pain symptoms after giving birth, regardless if the delivery happened naturally or through a cesarean method. This pain often comes from the joints and contracted muscle tissues. Osteopathic manipulation (OMT) is a type of care where the physician uses their hands to move the joints and muscles with pressure, stretching, and resistance techniques. OMT may prove itself as an effective, conservative option for alleviating the pain women feel after birth like cramping, throbbing, and aching.

Pain research still has a long road ahead, but that does not mean you should wait for breakthrough discoveries. Effective treatments are available for your chronic pain, and an expert doctor can find one that works best for you. Garden State Pain Center is a clinic in New Jersey that can help alleviate your discomfort. Contact us today for an appointment.