So, all of this chat about the nervous system can be overwhelming. While the list of websites provided is a great resource for information, some of you may be visual learners. Here are a few YouTube videos that may help you.
Quick and easy overview of the Nervous System: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRkPNwqm0mM&feature=related
Quick and easy oveview of Diabetic Neuropathy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq8CUdfib60
Quick, schematic of Nerve Pain Pathways: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ck9ji9aS8M&feature=related
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Website Ratings (One to Five Star Scale)
The Mayo Clinic
Wow! What a great resource for both clinicians and patients. This commerically sponsored site gives an overview of the pathophysiology and standards of care for the managment of neuropathic pain. However, the site is unique in its discussion of alternative medicine and self directed care measures. The site also has a section that gives advice to patients on how to prepare for their upcoming appointment. There is an "ask the expert" feature as well. Finally, the site provides its refrences and links to other related topics. This is a must see.....
Rating: *****
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Another credible government sponsored site for both clinicians and patients. Like the Mayo site, you can find good general information here. There is also the option to print a patient education handout and have Spanish language materials. A link to organizations that provide support and research on neuropathic pain is also available. Another resource provided is a link to ongoing clinical trials and research articles.
Rating: ****
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm
The National Pain Foundation
This organizational sponsored site has information for clinicians and patients. One nice tool found here is a pain journal for patients. The general overview information is geared more toward patients as it is fairly basic but yet helpful. The site offers a brief discussion on "The Feldenkrais Method." This is a form of physical therapy that focuses on the mind-body connection. Links to more specifics on this method are provided as well.
Rating: ****
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/351/what-is-it?
Pain Balance
Clinicians are this organizational sponsored site's audience. A more in-depth discussion of the proposed pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. Check out the cool 3D animations.
Rating: ***
http://www.painbalance.org/neuropathic-pain-1359165356
MedicineNet
Commerically crafted site whose primary audience is patients. Here you will find a general overview of neuropathic pain with some focus on fibromyalgia. The site is affiliated with Lilly, the manufacturer of Cymbalta, which is a drug with an indication for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is a cool slide show of an exercise program geared toward patients with fibromyalgia. The site also has a feature that links the viewer to top ten related articles.
Rating: ***
http://www.medicinenet.com/neuropathic_pain/article.htm
The Neuropathy Association
This site is geared toward patients and clinicians. The group focuses on neuropathy specifically but has a link to articles about neurpathic pain. It provides a link to assist users in finding a local support group. The site also discusses specific types of neuropathy. Users can find their specific diagnosis. The site is managed by a non for profit organization and there is an opportunity to donate to their cause.
Rating: ***
http://www.neuropathy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Type_Pain
American Chronic Pain Association
The information presented on this site is geared toward patients; however, the clinican will find many of tools provided helpful. Check out the link to the relaxation video and "nerve man." Nerve man, pain log and the quality of life tools are all great resources for patients to utilize to enhance their visit with their provider. Remember, your clinician cannot "see" your pain so how you relay information is important.
Rating: *****
http://www.theacpa.org/conditionDetail.aspx?id=29
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Institute of Health has an institute devoted to CAM. The site is not specific to neuropathic pain; however, many patients are not satisified with the level of pain control from Western medicine. Here the patient can learn more about alternative therapies from a reputable source. Clinicians can access this site to keep up date on current research in this growing field. The information is also provided in Spanish. There is a link for training and grant opportunities.
Rating: *****
http://nccam.nih.gov/
The Neuromodulation Access Coalition
This site features links for both patients and clinicians who want to learn more about neuromodulation. The coalition is comprised of the various manufactures of neuromodulating devices and several pain organizations. Neuromodulation can be a difficult treatment for patients to understand and it is good to have a clearinghouse of information from all manufacturers to help decrease bias. Patients can watch the posted YouTube video to gain perspective on the potential treatment.
Rating: ***
http://neuromodulationaccess.org/patients/spinal.cfm
The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain
This site is managed by a non-profit institute in Canada whose focus is on the managment of soft tissue pain. The most impressive feature of the site is it's link to description of various pain types and clinical symptoms of neuropathy. However, commericial bias may exist as the site clearly provides testimonials on their dry needling technique for the management of myofacial pain. This treatment is accepted among physiotherapists worldwide; I have no personal experience with this particular clinic to say whether their technique provides any superiority.
Rating: **
http://www.istop.org/signs.html
Wow! What a great resource for both clinicians and patients. This commerically sponsored site gives an overview of the pathophysiology and standards of care for the managment of neuropathic pain. However, the site is unique in its discussion of alternative medicine and self directed care measures. The site also has a section that gives advice to patients on how to prepare for their upcoming appointment. There is an "ask the expert" feature as well. Finally, the site provides its refrences and links to other related topics. This is a must see.....
Rating: *****
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Another credible government sponsored site for both clinicians and patients. Like the Mayo site, you can find good general information here. There is also the option to print a patient education handout and have Spanish language materials. A link to organizations that provide support and research on neuropathic pain is also available. Another resource provided is a link to ongoing clinical trials and research articles.
Rating: ****
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm
The National Pain Foundation
This organizational sponsored site has information for clinicians and patients. One nice tool found here is a pain journal for patients. The general overview information is geared more toward patients as it is fairly basic but yet helpful. The site offers a brief discussion on "The Feldenkrais Method." This is a form of physical therapy that focuses on the mind-body connection. Links to more specifics on this method are provided as well.
Rating: ****
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/351/what-is-it?
Pain Balance
Clinicians are this organizational sponsored site's audience. A more in-depth discussion of the proposed pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. Check out the cool 3D animations.
Rating: ***
http://www.painbalance.org/neuropathic-pain-1359165356
MedicineNet
Commerically crafted site whose primary audience is patients. Here you will find a general overview of neuropathic pain with some focus on fibromyalgia. The site is affiliated with Lilly, the manufacturer of Cymbalta, which is a drug with an indication for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is a cool slide show of an exercise program geared toward patients with fibromyalgia. The site also has a feature that links the viewer to top ten related articles.
Rating: ***
http://www.medicinenet.com/neuropathic_pain/article.htm
The Neuropathy Association
This site is geared toward patients and clinicians. The group focuses on neuropathy specifically but has a link to articles about neurpathic pain. It provides a link to assist users in finding a local support group. The site also discusses specific types of neuropathy. Users can find their specific diagnosis. The site is managed by a non for profit organization and there is an opportunity to donate to their cause.
Rating: ***
http://www.neuropathy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Type_Pain
American Chronic Pain Association
The information presented on this site is geared toward patients; however, the clinican will find many of tools provided helpful. Check out the link to the relaxation video and "nerve man." Nerve man, pain log and the quality of life tools are all great resources for patients to utilize to enhance their visit with their provider. Remember, your clinician cannot "see" your pain so how you relay information is important.
Rating: *****
http://www.theacpa.org/conditionDetail.aspx?id=29
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Institute of Health has an institute devoted to CAM. The site is not specific to neuropathic pain; however, many patients are not satisified with the level of pain control from Western medicine. Here the patient can learn more about alternative therapies from a reputable source. Clinicians can access this site to keep up date on current research in this growing field. The information is also provided in Spanish. There is a link for training and grant opportunities.
Rating: *****
http://nccam.nih.gov/
The Neuromodulation Access Coalition
This site features links for both patients and clinicians who want to learn more about neuromodulation. The coalition is comprised of the various manufactures of neuromodulating devices and several pain organizations. Neuromodulation can be a difficult treatment for patients to understand and it is good to have a clearinghouse of information from all manufacturers to help decrease bias. Patients can watch the posted YouTube video to gain perspective on the potential treatment.
Rating: ***
http://neuromodulationaccess.org/patients/spinal.cfm
The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain
This site is managed by a non-profit institute in Canada whose focus is on the managment of soft tissue pain. The most impressive feature of the site is it's link to description of various pain types and clinical symptoms of neuropathy. However, commericial bias may exist as the site clearly provides testimonials on their dry needling technique for the management of myofacial pain. This treatment is accepted among physiotherapists worldwide; I have no personal experience with this particular clinic to say whether their technique provides any superiority.
Rating: **
http://www.istop.org/signs.html
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Article Review: Advances in Neuropathic Pain
Dworkin, R., et al. (2003). Advances in Neuropathic Pain. Archives of Neurology.
This article is a great general overview. The authors begin by discussing the basic diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain. Theories of the underlying pathophysiology are discussed as well. Then the authors transition into a discussion of treatment options. A brief overview of Lidoderm Patch, Gabapentin, Opioids, Tramadol and Tricyclic Antidepressants is provided. The articles fails to discuss SSNRIs and Lyrica; however, these medications have similar mechanisms of action to those presented. This article is a good resource for an overview of neuropathic pain for both etiology, diagnostic criteria and management.See its abstract posted below.
Arch Neurol, Nov 2003; 60: 1524 - 1534 http://www.archneurol.com/
Advances in Neuropathic Pain
Diagnosis, Mechanisms, and Treatment Recommendations
Robert H. Dworkin, PhD ; Miroslav Backonja, MD ; Michael C. Rowbotham, MD ; Robert R. Allen, MD ; Charles R. Argoff, MD ; Gary J. Bennett, PhD ; M. Catherine Bushnell, PhD ; John T. Farrar, MD ; Bradley S. Galer, MD ; Jennifer A. Haythornthwaite, PhD ; David J. Hewitt, MD ; John D. Loeser, MD ; Mitchell B. Max, MD ; Mario Saltarelli, MD, PhD ; Kenneth E. Schmader, MD ; Christoph Stein, MD ; David Thompson, PhD ; Dennis C. Turk, PhD ; Mark S. Wallace, MD ; Linda R. Watkins, PhD ; Sharon M. Weinstein, MD
Arch Neurol. 2003;60:1524-1534.
Chronic neuropathic pain, caused by lesions in the peripheral or central nervous system, comes in many forms. We describe current approaches to the diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain and discuss the results of recent research on its pathophysiologic mechanisms. Randomized controlled clinical trials of gabapentin, the 5% lidocaine patch, opioid analgesics, tramadol hydrochloride, and tricyclic antidepressants provide an evidence-based approach to the treatment of neuropathic pain, and specific recommendations are presented for use of these medications. Continued progress in basic and clinical research on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of neuropathic pain may make it possible to predict effective treatments for individual patients by application of a pain mechanism–based approach.
This article is a great general overview. The authors begin by discussing the basic diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain. Theories of the underlying pathophysiology are discussed as well. Then the authors transition into a discussion of treatment options. A brief overview of Lidoderm Patch, Gabapentin, Opioids, Tramadol and Tricyclic Antidepressants is provided. The articles fails to discuss SSNRIs and Lyrica; however, these medications have similar mechanisms of action to those presented. This article is a good resource for an overview of neuropathic pain for both etiology, diagnostic criteria and management.See its abstract posted below.
Arch Neurol, Nov 2003; 60: 1524 - 1534 http://www.archneurol.com/
Advances in Neuropathic Pain
Diagnosis, Mechanisms, and Treatment Recommendations
Arch Neurol. 2003;60:1524-1534.
Chronic neuropathic pain, caused by lesions in the peripheral or central nervous system, comes in many forms. We describe current approaches to the diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain and discuss the results of recent research on its pathophysiologic mechanisms. Randomized controlled clinical trials of gabapentin, the 5% lidocaine patch, opioid analgesics, tramadol hydrochloride, and tricyclic antidepressants provide an evidence-based approach to the treatment of neuropathic pain, and specific recommendations are presented for use of these medications. Continued progress in basic and clinical research on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of neuropathic pain may make it possible to predict effective treatments for individual patients by application of a pain mechanism–based approach.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)