Love does more than make Valentine’s Day cards sentimental. Brain imaging studies show that thinking about someone you love can reduce how strongly pain is felt, by activating the brain’s reward and safety systems. It’s a reminder that connection isn’t just emotional—it’s biological.

Chronic pain is on the rise because people are living longer and surviving injuries and illnesses that once would have been fatal. But survival often comes with new challenges: pain that won’t go away.

If pain research focused more on one thing patients care about, what should it be?

Gabapentin has been an effective medication for many people living with pain. It is particularly helpful for neuropathic pain when used thoughtfully.

One pain advocate in the room can change an entire conversation. They catch the language doctors miss, flag barriers we don’t see, and remind us where care breaks down in real life. Pain patients and advocates deserve a permanent seat in the national pain conversation.

We’re looking to follow more creators focused on chronic pain, chronic illness, and disability. Who should we be learning from?

Your clothes are touching your skin right now, but you probably are not noticing. That is because your nervous system filters what it pays attention to.

Physical symptoms of depression & anxiety •Fatigue •Muscle tension •Headaches •Digestive issues •Insomnia or oversleeping •Sexual dysfunction

One pain advocate in the room can change an entire conversation. They catch the language doctors miss, flag barriers we don’t see, and remind us where care breaks down in real life. Pain patients and advocates deserve a permanent seat in the national pain conversation.

Lizzie Perez grew up dancing. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome forced her to stop, but pediatric pain care helped her find her way back. https://stanford.io/3UCUsNx

CRPS Symptoms •Pain from light touch or even a breeze •Persistent swelling in the injured limb •Skin that feels very hot or cold •Changes in skin color (red, purple, pale) •Hair and nails growing differently •Muscle spasms, tremor or weakness

Sustainable change happens when we treat pain, not when we shame bodies.

Facet joints are small joints in the spine, and arthritis in these joints is common. Pain from facet joints doesn’t always stay in one spot—it can spread to nearby areas like the neck, shoulders, back, or legs. This map shows where people often feel facet-related pain, which can explain symptoms.

Pain worsens sleep 🔁 Poor sleep worsens pain

6 Things to Know About IV Dihydroergotamine (DHE) for Severe Headaches 1. What it is Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is a medication that’s been used for decades to treat tough headaches. It works by acting on serotonin and other brain chemicals that affect pain signals.

One session. Months of reported improvement. Stanford researchers studied Empowered Relief, a 1-session pain relief skills class, in people with Marfan Syndrome—with promising results. https://stanford.io/45Jybnd

There’s no biological reason women should suffer through pain at every stage of life—only a cultural one

We asked our community: what advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with chronic pain? Here’s what they shared.

What Physical Therapy Can Do for Chronic Pain -Physical therapists help you move in safe ways -Physical therapy focuses on small, realistic goals with guidance on when to work through discomfort and when to stop -You’ll learn better ways to move, lift, and use your body with less strain

If the test is normal but the patient is still suffering, the work isn’t done.

Who might benefit from neuromodulation? Conditions commonly treated with this therapy include: •Back and leg pain •Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) •Nerve pain from surgery, injury, or diabetes •Pelvic or abdominal pain •Neck, shoulder, and facial pain Read on: https://stanford.io/3XKrsoQ

The “4 Ps” of chronic pain treatment •Physical therapy •Pharmacology •Procedures •Psychological support

Believe people living with pain.

As adults age, it is normal for sleep architecture to shift. Patients may report lighter, more fragmented sleep, earlier morning awakenings, or prolonged sleep latency. Additionally, older adults generally spend less time in deep (slow-wave) and REM sleep, which can reduce subjective sleep quality.

Some used to think fibromyalgia was closely linked to anxiety and depression. But the latest research shows that’s not really the case. Recent data suggests that people with fibromyalgia don’t have higher rates of depression or anxiety than people with other pain problems.

Fibromyalgia affects approximately 4 million adults in the US (about 2% of the adult population)

What if your doctors could try out treatments on your digital twin before you even take them?

Hurt vs Harm: Knowing the difference between them is critical in pain management.

Three pain types and what they mean 1. Nociceptive Pain This is the most common type of physical pain and refers to harmful or noxious stimuli (an injury) which activate receptors (nociceptors) in the body that send a warning signal of potential or actual harm.

Heat and Cold for Pain Cold -Reduces inflammation & slows nerve firing → less pain -Numbs an area effectively -Use carefully to avoid frostbite -Regular, safe exposure can increase pain thresholds over time Heat -Boosts blood flow -Relaxes muscles -Feels good & can reduce perceived pain

Patients deserve the truth. If a procedure is painful, they should be told upfront—and offered options for pain relief.