The International Association for the Study of Pain is the leading professional forum for science, practice, and education in the field of pain. Its 7,500 worldwide members often work in universities to research, diagnose or treat pain.
Chronic Pain Treatment Focus of University Research Collaborations
The complexities of understanding chronic pain bring university researchers together from around the world. For example, scientists from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Toronto, Sanofi-Aventis Germany and the Karolinska Institute Center for Oral Biology in Sweden contributed to a study that determined differences in pain perception may have a genetic predisposition.
At the University of Michigan, researchers and clinicians at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center work to improve the recognition, understanding and management of disorders related to chronic pain and fatigue such as Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gulf War Illness.
Michigan, for example, hosts a fibromyalgia workshop focusing on stress management and relaxation techniques, sleep and other self-help strategies.
Treatment and Management of Chronic Pain from University Discoveries
At Stanford University, the Stanford University Pain Management Center provides care for thousands of hospitalized and ambulatory patients with acute, chronic and cancer pain problems. The Center has adopted a mandate of translating discoveries to reduce pain and suffering. It offers a comprehensive range of services for patients with acute or chronic pain.
Pain research at McGill University is conducted at the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain. The centre comprises researchers from the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Science. Its main goal is to bring together the McGill community of basic and clinical pain researchers to promote research that will result in cures for chronic pain. Through activities and international collaborations, the Center focuses on new discoveries and clinical applications that will improve the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.
Finding Options for Chronic Pain Relief Through University Research
University research results in treatment options that offer promise to those who suffer from chronic pain. For example, treatment research using yoga is aimed at easing the effects fibromyalgia, a debilitating condition affecting up to 15 million individuals in the United States alone, is showing results.
A researcher from Oregon Health & Science University published research showing improvement in fibromyalgia sufferers who participated in a yoga program. This research demonstrates the value of yoga postures, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises and the application of its principles to pain treatment.
Universities around the world lead in the understanding and treatment of chronic pain. With a focus on discovery and relief, university researchers are working in collaboration to tackle the spectrum of chronic pain conditions.
Shelley Aylesworth-Spink - Shelley Aylesworth-Spink has worked in support of communications, marketing and advertising for nearly 25 years in the private and public ...
