A large new review found that opioid analgesics are effective for many acute pain conditions, less so for others. No evidence of severe adverse events were found in the short-term studies. bit.ly/4qZPXdQ

Ever wonder why women are more likely than men to have chronic pain? Researchers say hormone-regulated immune cells release molecules that can "switch off" pain signals. The cells are more active in men because they have higher levels of hormones like testosterone. bit.ly/4sdjjX7

PNN's Madora Pennington has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, an inherited disorder that makes her doubled jointed. She's always wondered why exercise was so difficult -- and finally has some answers, thanks to a new study. bit.ly/46s5Su5

A new analysis of urine drug tests over the years shows that the illicit use of prescription opioids has declined dramatically. Stimulant use is growing and so are positive tests for kratom. bit.ly/3MuoT8t

There's a right way and a wrong way to taper off medication. PNN's Crystal Lindell recommends against going cold turkey. Your chances of being successful are much better if you slowly taper yourself. bit.ly/4tRYcLK

Do you worry about a loved one with chronic pain having suicidal thoughts? Dr. Thomas Rutledge, a VA psychologist, has tips on how to recognize the symptoms and reduce suicide risk. bit.ly/4kNuumU

Chronic pain is like a thief. When you least expect it, it can sneak up on you and steal your time. See how PNN's Crystal Lindell lost Tuesday to a pain flare. bit.ly/4qJMwIc

Moderate cannabis use appears to increase brain volume and improve cognitive function in middle aged and older adults, according to a large new study. Cannabis users performed better in learning, processing speed, and short-term memory than non-users. bit.ly/3OoI04g

Scientists have found a way to change fentanyl molecules so the drug doesn't suppress breathing as much, yet is still an effective pain reliever. It could pave the way for a new generation of synthetic opioids with lower risk of causing an overdose. rebrand.ly/fentanyl-rew...

Eating is not a simple task when you have chronic pain or a chronic illness. Shopping for food, preparing it, cooking, and cleaning up after a meal can be exhausting. If you're tired of settling for cereal, PNN's Crystal Lindell has some tips to make meals easier. rebrand.ly/feed-yoursel...

Have you heard of microcurrent therapy? It's like a TENS device, but uses even less electricity -- not to relieve pain -- but to stimulate the body's natural healing properties. PNN's Madora Pennington says it worked on some of her nagging injuries. rebrand.ly/microcurrent...

Remember Jeff Foxworthy? He's a comedian who became popular for his funny routine about, "You might be a redneck if..." PNN's Crystal Lindell borrowed the idea for her comic rendition of, "You might have chronic pain if..." rebrand.ly/chronic-pain...

A Medicare pilot program launched in six states could deny coverage for several pain treatments, including epidural steroid injections, cervical fusions and some arthroscopic surgeries. rebrand.ly/pilot-progra...

Researchers have identified 4 key risk factors that make surgery patients significantly more likely to use opioids long-term. Being on Medicaid is one of them. Should that affect the treatment patients get? rebrand.ly/long-term-c3...

President Trump has ordered the DEA to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance, but the debate continues over whether that should happen or even what it means. Here's what could happen. rebrand.ly/medical-mari...

Making new friends and staying connected with old ones can be hard when you have chronic pain. PNN's Crystal LindeIl says it's well worth the effort. rebrand.ly/medicine-sou...

The most harmful drug in Canada is not fentanyl, cocaine, heroin or prescription opioids. It's not even a street drug. A panel of experts ranked a legal drug as the most dangerous by a wide margin. rebrand.ly/dangerous-dr...

"This too shall pass." It may sound corny, but that's one of the three cliches that Crystal Lindell uses for inspiration on bad pain days. She's learned to appreciate them, as they make chronic pain a little easier to endure. rebrand.ly/three-clich-...

The CDC’s 2016 opioid prescribing guideline not only harmed many pain patients, it raised the cost of treating them in primary care practices, according to a new analysis. rebrand.ly/cdc-opioid-8...

New research suggests a simple blood test could identify people with rheumatoid arthritis before symptoms begin. Early diagnosis and treatment could delay or even prevent full-blown RA from developing. rebrand.ly/rheumatoid-a...

Missouri may join the growing list of states that restrict or ban sales of kratom and 7-OH products. PNN's Crystal Lindell says that would be a big mistake. rebrand.ly/breakthrough...

When it comes to pain relievers, PNN's Carol Levy has tried them all, from opium to oxycodone and Darvon to Demerol. She's still not sure about marijuana. rebrand.ly/reefer-madne...

Chronic fatigue, lower IQs, blood clots, autism and cancer. The list of long-term health problems caused by the covid virus keeps growing. Studies show that covid vaccines reduce the risk of getting long covid, yet the number of people being vaccinated is down sharply. rebrand.ly/fed-vaccine-...

Patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorder are increasingly using gabapentin, even though it's not recommended for addiction treatment. In many cases, they don't have a prescription for it. rebrand.ly/gabapentin-f...

An experimental hydrogel injected into damaged discs shows promise as a long term treatment for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. rebrand.ly/injectable-g...

An innovative Medicaid program won't fully pay for expensive sickle cell treatments unless they actually work. Should that policy be extended to other medical treatments? rebrand.ly/new-medicaid...

PNN's Crystal Lindell learned long ago that stress makes her chronic pain worse. So she tries to stay as calm as possible during a pain flare. A new study confirms that feeling stressed does indeed raise pain sensitivity. rebrand.ly/stress-makes...

A new analysis found "no clear evidence" that medical cannabis relieves neuropathic pain -- a finding that contradicts two other recent studies. rebrand.ly/clear-eviden...

People often suffer from muscle aches, fatigue and brain fog when they start taking statins. For decades, scientists didn't know why. A possible explanation has been found that could lead to a new type of statin with fewer side effects. rebrand.ly/scientists-m...

Limiting the supply of prescription opioids and other medications had the unintended -- but predictable -- effect of making street drugs more dangerous. As a result, patients are sicker, more desperate, more marginalized, and more exposed to riskier substances. rebrand.ly/prohibition-...

Would you want to live next door to someone with an opioid addiction? Would you want them to marry into your family? Many Americans say they wouldn't -- further evidence that the stigmatization of opioids continues unabated. rebrand.ly/opioid-ae325d

New research confirms that acetaminophen (paracetamol) does not increase a baby’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability when used by pregnant women. rebrand.ly/taking-tylen...

A new study shows that people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are likely to start having migraines or a worsening of their migraines after CRPS took hold. rebrand.ly/crps-when-b5...

Federal and state efforts to ban the sale of 7-OH products may be having the unintended effect of increasing sales of the kratom extract, which is a potent pain reliever. bit.ly/4b15iqg

Unless Congress intervenes, telehealth appointments for many Medicare patients will stop at the end of January. rebrand.ly/medicare-pla...

Most addiction treatment doctors insist their patients stop all use of controlled substances, whether illicit or prescribed. When a New Orleans doctor prescribed opioids to pain patients getting addiction treatment, she lost her job. rebrand.ly/treating-pai...

A UK study found improvements in pain and other symptoms when fibromyalgia patients started using medical cannabis products with moderate to strong doses of CBD. High doses of THC did not reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. rebrand.ly/medical-cann...

Do sudden changes in the weather cause you more pain? PNN's Crystal Lindell says her ribs hurt more when temperatures became unseasonably warm this week in Illinois. And when its cold outside, she can predict when it's going to snow. rebrand.ly/pain-blame-d...

Outpatient surgeries are often touted for their convenience and cost-savings, but researchers found that post-surgical chronic pain and other complications were higher than expected after outpatient procedures. rebrand.ly/chronic-pain...

Utah has launched a pilot program to have artificial intelligence chatbots refill prescriptions for some chronic conditions. Would you find such a service helpful? Would you trust it? Or would you prefer to actually see a doctor? rebrand.ly/utah-launche...

A large new study found that the higher your BMI, the higher your risk of lower back pain -- most of the time. Excess weight alone doesn't mean you'll have back pain, and being at a healthy weight doesn't guarantee you won't. rebrand.ly/excess-weigh...

The DEA is going ahead with plans to further reduce the supply of oxycodone in 2026. But in a surprising move, it is significantly raising the production of morphine. rebrand.ly/dea-cuts-b95...

PNN's Crystal Lindell has 3 New Year's resolutions on behalf of people in pain that would make their lives a lot easier in 2026. What are your hopes for the new year? rebrand.ly/new-year-5d7...

Hip pain can strike at any age, but it's particularly worrisome for older adults who wonder if a hip replacement or some other surgery may be on the horizon. Most people won't need surgery, however, if they take some practical steps today. rebrand.ly/hip-pain-53a...

There was a lot of news to cover this year about chronic pain and chronic illness -- from gabapentin to cannabis to opioids. See the 5 most widely read articles in PNN in 2025. bit.ly/3Loj7oc

Dr. Forest Tennant has updated his basic protocol for treating adhesive arachnoiditis (AA), which has reduced pain and inflammation in many patients who suffer from the chronic spinal disease. bit.ly/3Nq7FJa

First it was "handicapped." Then came "disabled." Or "challenged." PNN's Carol Levy says the labels often don't fit what someone is able -- or unable -- to do. bit.ly/3YXjxVz

Congress went home for the holidays without finding a solution to one of the most pressing needs of Americans: the rising cost of healthcare and insurance. bit.ly/4q4g57F

Can a number really describe how much pain you are in? Can words describe it better? Pain is the most common reason to see a doctor, but we are often at a loss in describing it. bit.ly/4scsdF0

What do you want for Christmas? A pain free day? A doctor who listens? A loved who believes you? PNN's Crystal LIndell shares some holiday wishes she has for pain sufferers. bit.ly/49nMkJ3