Blogs | Michele Curatolo

About my blogs

I discuss topics related to pain management in an accessible way for anyone who wants to know more about this fascinating and still poorly understood area of medicine, including health care professionals, patients, and students.

My purpose is solely educational and non-profit. While I aim to make best use of the available scientific evidence, the content of the blogs reflect primarily my personal opinion.

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Gabapentin and pregabalin for pain: overrated and overprescribed?

Michele Curatolo

Dec 122 min read

Gabapentin and pregabalin for pain: overrated and overprescribed?

Gabapentin and pregabalin are likely overprescribed for pain. They offer pain relief in some patients ,but often cause adverse effects.

417 views0 comments

One more reason to consider injections for chronic pain

Michele Curatolo

Oct 92 min read

One more reason to consider injections for chronic pain

Injections for low back pain may work even if patients know that they are receiving a placebo. What does it mean for pain management?

52 views0 comments

Michele Curatolo

May 223 min read

Is "sciatica" a thing?

Pain radiating from the back into the leg is often referred to as “sciatica”, but this term is misleading and should be abandoned.

321 views0 comments

Learning about chronic pain can reduce pain

Michele Curatolo

Jan 243 min read

Learning about chronic pain can reduce pain

Pain neuroscience education aims to improve the patient's understanding of pain, and can lead to reduced pain and better function.

207 views0 comments

What have we achieved after 50 years of pain research?

Michele Curatolo

Nov 1, 20234 min read

What have we achieved after 50 years of pain research?

Achievement of pain research during the last 50 years: many advances in knowledge, still modest benefits for patients.

205 views0 comments

Somatosensory tests in personalized pain medicine

Michele Curatolo

Sep 11, 20234 min read

Somatosensory tests in personalized pain medicine

Somatosensory tests may be useful in personalized pain medicine. Their usefulness should be addressed by randomized controlled trials,

172 views0 comments

Michele Curatolo

Jun 12, 20234 min read

Disc degeneration and low back pain

Disc degeneration is considered a cause of low back pain, but is common among individuals without pain. Does it mean that it is unimportant?

222 views0 comments

Diagnosis of pain from the sacroiliac joint

Michele Curatolo

May 22, 20234 min read

Diagnosis of pain from the sacroiliac joint

Clinical criteria can help with the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pain, but some of them are not better than just guessing.

587 views0 comments

How to manage an episode of low back pain?

Michele Curatolo

Apr 20, 20234 min read

How to manage an episode of low back pain?

The causes of acute low back pain are largely unknown, and treatments are of uncertain efficacy. However, healing is most likely to happen.

377 views0 comments

Can a procedure lead to permanent relief of chronic pain?

Michele Curatolo

Mar 1, 20233 min read

Can a procedure lead to permanent relief of chronic pain?

Frequent patient's questions: "Can you do a nerve block or kill a nerve to treat my chronic pain? Can this be a permanent solution"?

5,609 views2 comments

Michele Curatolo

Feb 6, 20233 min read

Do antidepressants reduce pain or not?

Antidepressants can relieve pain independent of the presence of depression, likely due to their effect on the pain inhibitory system.

187 views0 comments

Sense and nonsense of biomarkers in pain medicine

Michele Curatolo

Jan 5, 20234 min read

Sense and nonsense of biomarkers in pain medicine

Biomarkers are highly needed in pain medicine. However, measures have to fulfill criteria and validation to be biomarkers.

264 views0 comments

Michele Curatolo

Nov 16, 20223 min read

Placebo for pain: from enemy to friend

The placebo effect relies on patient’s expectation that a treatment will help. It is a welcome way to enhance pain relief.

132 views0 comments

Is the distinction between acute and chronic pain meaningful?

Michele Curatolo

Oct 24, 20225 min read

Is the distinction between acute and chronic pain meaningful?

The classification of pain into acute (<3 months duration) and chronic (>3 months) lacks scientific support and clinical usefulness.

277 views0 comments

Does an injury lead to long-term opioid use?

Michele Curatolo

Sep 15, 20222 min read

Does an injury lead to long-term opioid use?

Acute injury rarely results in long-term use of opioids.

63 views0 comments

Chili pepper to treat chronic pain: how does it work?

Michele Curatolo

Aug 24, 20223 min read

Chili pepper to treat chronic pain: how does it work?

Why does capsaicin, a constituent of chili pepper, relieve chronic pain?

5,216 views0 comments

Epidural steroids: Long-term improvement, but ...

Michele Curatolo

Jul 20, 20224 min read

Epidural steroids: Long-term improvement, but ...

Epidural steroid injections in older adults: study with 2-years follow-up shows that patients improve, but unlikely due to the injection.

976 views0 comments

Acute back pain after osteoporotic fractures: Which medication?

Michele Curatolo

Jul 6, 20222 min read

Acute back pain after osteoporotic fractures: Which medication?

Acute back pain after osteoporotic vertebral fractures is a public health issue. Choosing a medication that limits harm is challenging.

179 views0 comments

Neck pain and headache: Can stem from the C1-2 joint

Michele Curatolo

Jun 22, 20222 min read

Neck pain and headache: Can stem from the C1-2 joint

Pain at the upper neck and headache can stem from the C1-2 joint. Steroid injection or surgery can be effective

171 views0 comments

Explaining "pain sensitization" to patients

Michele Curatolo

Jun 8, 20223 min read

Explaining "pain sensitization" to patients

Sensitization of neural pathways is a crucial determinant of chronic pain, and has treatment consequences. How to explain this to patients?

187 views0 comments

About my blogs

To know about new blogs, you can subscribe here --> Your data will not be shared

To know about new blogs, you can subscribe here -->
Your data will not be shared