Articles related to PAIN MANAGEMENT

Jaw tightness and pain, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tightness, can be caused by various factors. Stress or anxiety can lead to muscle tension in the jaw, resulting in tightness and discomfort. TMJ disorders, teeth grinding (bruxism), tetanus infection, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA) are other potential causes. To relieve a tight jaw, patients can try jaw joint stretches, opt for a soft food diet, and use mouthguards to prevent teeth grinding. Treatment options may include shortwave diathermy, hot and cold compresses, medication, or even acupuncture. It’s important for patients to consult a doctor or dentist if symptoms worsen or interfere with daily activities. By addressing the underlying cause and providing appropriate remedies, dental professionals can help patients find relief from jaw tightness and pain.

According to surveys, up to 40% of cancer patients in the United States use cannabis, yet only one-third of doctors are comfortable advising them on it. Now, a small but significant study has found that cancer patients who use cannabis to treat their symptoms had reduced pain, better sleep, and an unexpected benefit: they appear to think more clearly after a few weeks of consistent use. The study, published in the journal Exploration in Medicine, is one of the first to look at how cannabis purchased via dispensaries, rather than government-supplied or synthetic kinds, affects cancer symptoms or chemotherapy side effects. It also sheds light on the large range of drugs used by cancer patients now that marijuana is legal in the majority of states.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved digital therapeutics, but insurance coverage has remained a problem. Some businesses have pushed for patient pharmacy benefits to pay for their software-based therapies, but AppliedVR is going in a different direction. A new HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) code that describes the company’s treatment as a virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy device with pre-programmed therapy software was granted by CMS to the company. The program complied with all five criteria set forth by CMS to qualify as durable medical equipment.

Forty patients with MS and neuropathic pain were randomized to TENS or interferential current (IFC) five days a week for four weeks. Average self-rated pain and neuropathic pain decreased significantly following both interventions. MusiQol scores improved significantly following TENS or IFC. However, the TENS arm showed significant improvements in more domains than IFC on the MusiQol scale.

In addition to reducing local pain and inflammation, gargling with a salt-water solution may eliminate bacteria and virus through dilution and expulsion and also through the local pH changes it causes.

Experiments have confirmed a connection between rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups and periodontitis.