Mechanisms of pain

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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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?

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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

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?

218 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

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

161 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?

184 views0 comments

The huge gap between discoveries and availability of effective pain medications

Michele Curatolo

May 25, 20223 min read

The huge gap between discoveries and availability of effective pain medications

A new research pathway is proposed to translate discoveries of pharmacological targets into effective treatments of pain.

92 views0 comments

What does local tenderness say about the origin of pain?

Michele Curatolo

Feb 23, 20223 min read

What does local tenderness say about the origin of pain?

Tenderness evoked by pressure is typically interpreted as a sign of injury causing pain. However, it is of very limited diagnostic value.

755 views0 comments

Pain from multiple body areas: when arithmetics doesn't work

Michele Curatolo

Feb 9, 20222 min read

Pain from multiple body areas: when arithmetics doesn't work

Pain from multiple body sites is frequently highly disabling. 1+1+1 is more than 3. Why, and what can we do?

96 views0 comments

How blood and urine metabolites could help understand chronic pain

Michele Curatolo

Feb 2, 20223 min read

How blood and urine metabolites could help understand chronic pain

We need to understand better chronic pain at individual level. The study of metabolites (metabolomics) is a promising perspective.

132 views0 comments

Is "chronic pain" a diagnosis? Yes and no.

Michele Curatolo

Jan 11, 20223 min read

Is "chronic pain" a diagnosis? Yes and no.

We need to translate the complexity and heterogeneity of chronic pain into meaningful diagnoses.

212 views0 comments

Michele Curatolo

Dec 22, 20213 min read

Muscle pain: Where does it come from?

Muscles can be a source of pain Everyone, at a certain point of their life, has felt pain in their muscles, and some have muscle pain...

259 views0 comments

Michele Curatolo

Dec 8, 20213 min read

Pain Sensitivity: What is it?

Pain sensitivity has a complex nature. Its understanding will be crucial to better treat patients with pain.

376 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