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PAIN MONITOR
March 2007
THE NEWS
 Ask Questions and Get More Involved in Your Health Care
HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality joined with The Advertising Council to launch a national public service advertising campaign for all patients and caregivers called “Questions Are the Answer: Get More Involved With Your Health Care.”
Want to Age Without Aching?
Here are four tips for minimizing the aches and pains that come with aging bones, joints, and muscles.
Keep Your Joints Healthy: A Complete Guide to Staying Strong
About 21 million adults have osteoarthritis, wear-and-tear condition that causes achy joints and may eventually lead to can't-get-up-from-the-sofa pain.
Treatments Can Improve Troublesome Aches
For many older adults, aching muscles and joints are common. Muscles weaken with age and become less flexible -- which can cause stiffness or soreness.
 Self Care Can Improve Plantar Fasciitis
For some people, the first step in the morning sends pain shooting, as if they were stepping on a sharp rock.
Genital Pain Takes a Toll on Women's Lives
Chronic genital pain may be less common among women than studies have suggested, but the condition has a large impact on these women's quality of life, new research suggests.
New Study Probes Phantom-Limb Pain Relief
Aggressive pain care recommended for Iraq and Afghanistan amputees.
Neck Pain Treatment Safer Without Significant Risk of Paralysis
Research shows that the translaminar approach to cervical spinal steroid injections can reduce neck pain in eighty-three percent of those treated.
 Options Sought in Balancing Painkillers
Associated Press report on the NIH/AMA Conference, "Pain, Opioids, and Addiction" offers a summary of conference presentations including a report on promising approaches to the treatment of pain.
Taken as Prescribed, Addiction Risk is Low
The abuse of prescription pain medication in the United States appears to be on the increase. Michael Hooten, M.D., answers questions on pain medication misuse and addiction in an interview in the March issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
 Dog Helps Patients Cope with Pain
For years, medical professionals have used specially trained “pet therapists” to cheer the elderly, uplift people who are depressed and inspire pediatric patients.
Pain Complicates Depression Treatment in Elderly
By interfering with normal activities, chronic pain can impede recovery from depression in older adults, according to findings reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Pain in the Workplace
A recent national survey regarding pain in the workplace illustrates the impact of chronic pain among employees and employers.
Steroid Shots for Back Pain Don't Work
Professional group advises against epidural steroid shots for chronic back pain.
 Spotlight on Cancer Pain
Our new spotlight provides information, coping strategies and tools to help cancer patients and their caregivers understand the basics of pain management and better communicate with their doctors. Part of the content of this website section was adapted from the Cancer Pain: Your Guide to Relief™ CD, produced by HealthMark Multimedia, LLC in partnership with APF. Learn more about cancer pain and what you can do by reviewing the Spotlight on Cancer Pain section of our website.
APF NEWS
 APF's New Coordinator of the Military/Veterans Initiative
Meet Stan Gajda, APF’s new coordinator of the military/veterans and pain initiative. As a veteran of Afghanistan and a former counselor at the VA, Stan has unique experiences and connections to bring to this important effort. As media fills the news with the challenges of caring for the wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those injured from prior conflicts, our goal to help members of the military who suffer in pain becomes even more apparent. Read more about Stan on our website and look for upcoming online chats with Stan at the end of April, and with the DAV in May.
Support members of the military and veterans community who are in pain by donating now. Don’t forget, you can Donate Your Rebate! If you are expecting a tax refund this year, please donate a portion, or all of it, to the American Pain Foundation. Secure online donations can be made by clicking here. If you prefer, you can mail your donation to: American Pain Foundation, 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 710, Baltimore, MD 21201.
SCIENCE & MEDICINE
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Codeine for Acute Pain Relief in Children With Musculoskeletal Trauma (Abstract)
A Canadian study showed ibuprofen was more effective than acetaminophen or codeine in treating children for pain in emergency room situations. The study was published in the March, 2007 issue of Pediatrics.
American Academy of Pain Medicine Scientific Poster Abstracts 2007
Pain medicine investigators presented preliminary research findings at poster sessions held during the 23rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine in New Orleans Riverside, February 7-10, 2007.
APF Hosts Information Series
APF's Q&A articles address frequently asked questions about pain, answered by Scott Fishman, MD, Micke A. Brown, BSN, RN, Yvette Colón, MSW and others.
#39: Pain and Anti-Depressant Medication
#40: The Role of the Social Worker
COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Meditation a Hit for Pain Management
Mindfulness, a concept at the heart of Buddhist meditation, is the basis of an eight-week course that's showing some success at helping people manage pain.
 Healing with Food
According to Ayurveda, an illness indicates that one's constitution, or dosha, is out of balance, a condition that can be exacerbated or improved by eating certain foods.
Massage: It's Real Medicine
Research suggests massage can ease insomnia, boost immunity, prevent PMS, and more.
EN ESPANOL
 El PAIN Exhibit (Exhibición de Dolor)/El Arte y la Experiencia del Dolor
La Exposición del DOLOR recibió más de 500 obras del arte sobre el dolor provenientes de todas partes del mundo. Varios temas emergieron mientras las examinaba. Esos temas revelaron los aspectos más importantes del dolor que los artistas querían y necesitaban comunicar. La exposición virtual está organizada bajo dichos temas. Aunque las obras plasman un gran sufrimiento, también expresan su trascendencia. Las piezas virtuales solamente son una porción del arte que con el tiempo se presentará en una gira cuando haya fondos.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
 Health Policy Video Library
KaiserEDU.org introduces a new resource, the Health Policy Video Library, a unique collection of links to documentaries, news segments, and other videos on a wide range of health policy issues produced by organizations such as PBS, Discovery Channel, and the Kaiser Family Foundation as well as independent filmmakers. Whether you’re teaching a course, giving a presentation, or organizing an event, check the library for relevant videos.
RESOURCES
 New Book: Overcoming Pain
Written by Allan Platt , PA-C, Susan Platt, M.D., and Cathy Hedrich, RPT, this guide to coping with and overcoming persistent pain examines pain in biological, cultural, and behavioral contexts. Treatment options for arthritis, back and neck pain, angina, diabetes, and other conditions are outlined and explained, as are the advantages and disadvantages of non-medication-based therapy. The authors critique disparities in quality and quantity of treatments received by African Americans in contrast to those received by the population at large. A diverse list of resources, including pain specialists and clinics, support groups, organizations, and web sites, is included. The forward to the book was written by Will Rowe, executive director of the American Pain Foundation.
NEW RESOURCE TARGETS PAIN IN COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED
“Detecting Discomfort in Dementia: Focus on Behaviors - What Nursing Assistants Need to Know About Pain” is an educational video is designed to teach nursing assistants how to identify the behaviors that cognitively impaired residents may show when they are in pain or discomfort, and to understand the ways they can help cognitively impaired residents get relief of their pain or discomfort. An accompanying booklet “Tools for In-service Education” contains a discussion guide, role play, and knowledge test, as well as suggestions for how to introduce the video and adapt it for education geared toward culture change. The video is available in VHS or DVD format by visiting the Alliance of State Pain Initiative's Online Resource Center at http://www.trc.wisc.edu/ or calling (608) 262-0978..
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 23, April 13 and May 18
"Pharmacologic Management of Persistent Pain in Adults"
Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative (VCPI) is offering a free, live, interactive videoconference for health care professionals, available for viewing in Virginia and in limited areas of West Virginia and North Carolina. Persons interested in attending or being a host site should contact Laura Pole at Lpchef@earthlink.net or call (540) 529-5395.
March 23 - 24, 2007
Professional Development Workshop : Best Practices in Teaching
Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care
Atlanta, GA
March 24-27, 2007
American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) 2007 National Conference
Addison, TX
April 23-24, 2007
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Annual Health Disparities Conference and Public Health Forum
Baltimore, MD
Monday, April 23 - 4th Annual Disparities Conference: A State Agency Action Agenda for Ending Health Disparities.
Tuesday, April 24 - Workforce & Cultural Diversity: A Public Health Forum.
April 24-27, 2007
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 32nd Annual Congress
Las Vegas, NV
April 25, 2007
Maine Pain Initiative Symposium: Pain Management at the End of Life
Presque Isle Presque Isle, ME
May 2-4, 2007
Association of Oncology Social Workers 23rd Annual Conference
Portland, OR
May 2-5, 2007
American Pain Society 26th Annual Scientific Meeting
Washington, DC
June 15-17, 2007
Amputee Coalition of America Annual Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
SOCIAL WORK LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Social Work in Hospice and Palliative Care Network is seeking nominations for social workers in the areas of research, education, practice and policy whose contributions have reached far and wide in providing quality care to the seriously ill, dying and bereaved.
This unique Project on Death in America (PDIA) Social Work Leadership Award, made possible by the Open Society Institute, includes a monetary grant of $1,500, publishing opportunities, conference
registration and travel expenses to present the work. Completed nomination packets must be received no later than March 31, 2007.
Please visit http://www.swhpn.org/award/ to read the description for this new annual award and fill out the online nomination form. Please also contact Karen Johnson, Project Administrator, at (212) 851-2274
with questions about the award or the nomination process.
VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH PAIN
PainAid Online Support
New! The Hemophilia Chronic Pain Support Group is the newest addition to our online support community and was created to help hemophiliacs and their families cope with chronic pain. The online group will be moderated by Ted Bunin (PA Theo), who is in full-time private practice as a Clinical Social Worker, is Board Certified in both Oncology Social Work and in Clinical Hypnosis, and is a person with hemophilia. His professional social work practice involves treating people with chronic medical conditions.
Join our vibrant community and share discussion and your personal stories with others affected by pain. Here you will find: Conference Rooms (regularly scheduled chats on a range of issues); Discussion Boards (threaded message boards on a broad range of topics); and Ask the Expert feature (pose questions to licensed healthcare professionals). PainAid is staffed by highly qualified volunteers with a range of backgrounds, all of whom either live with chronic pain or care for people who do. Visit PainAid!
Be sure to check out the VOICES section of our website! New personal stories are added weekly!
Thank you to our medical/science editor, Peter J. Vicente Ph.D., ABPP.
Share with us how you’d like to get involved and ways you might be able to contribute your voice and skills to our joint efforts by completing our online Advocacy Survey. We welcome your participation and look forward to working with you!
The American Pain Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that relies upon private donations to fund its programs, services, and distribution of educational materials. There are millions of people who live with unrelieved chronic pain. If you can help, please make a donation to the American Pain Foundation. For other ways you can support APF’s work, please visit our website at www.painfoundation.org.
To make sure you continue to receive our newsletters and alerts, please add AmericanPainFounda@painfoundation.org to your address book or approved sender list. 
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