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Murder Charges Brought Against Pharmacists for Epidural Steroid Fungal Meningitis Cases

new england compounding center fungal meninitis steroid injections murder chargesThe outbreak of fungal meningitis related to contaminated epidural steroid injections has led to murder charges being brought against the pharmacists who produced the fatal products. Over 2012 and 2013, 751 patients are know to have been infected with fungal meningitis after receiving injections of contaminated steroids for neck pain and back pain. Of those patients, 64 died, and two pharmacists at the New England Compounding Center have been charged this week with 25 counts of second-degree murder. Read more

Could A Medical Food be Better than Ibuprofen for Neck Pain?

theramine amino acid pain relief for chronic neck painA new study has found that a blend of amino acids (which make up proteins) could be better than ibuprofen for reducing inflammation and relieving back pain. The research was carried out to determine the efficacy and safety of Theramine, a medical food that could be free from side effects, unlike the commonly used NSAID, ibuprofen. Read more

Needle-Knife Therapy Better than Acupuncture-Cupping for Treating Cervical Spondylosis

needle knife acupuncture neck pain stiffness relief in cervical spondylosisA study published in the Chinese medical journal Zhongguo zhen jiu (Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion) in May this year detailed a study which looked at the benefits of needle-knife therapy for neck stiffness and pain relief in cervical spondylosis. The trial compared this treatment with acupuncture-cupping therapy and found needle-knife therapy to be significantly better for neck stiffness and also more effective for relief of neck pain longer-term. Read more

Parkinson's Drug Could Help Relieve Neck Pain from Fibromyalgia

memantine for fibromyalgiaMemantine is a drug typically used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but a new study has found it can also help with pain relief in fibromyalgia, a condition that can be a cause of neck pain. Fibromyalgia is characterised by an increased sensitivity to pain, with specific tender points, in addition to fatigue and cognitive symptoms. Read more

Shoulder and Neck Pain Relief with Botox in Myofascial Pain Syndrome

botox for shoulder and neck pain myofascial pain syndromeBotox injections have long been used to relax muscles that are associated with frown lines and deep wrinkles, and such injections have also been found helpful in treating neck pain, headaches, and other types of pain connected to underlying muscles tension.

Myofascial pain is a condition where muscle pain and stiffness are typically centred on certain trigger points, and a new study shows that directly injecting Botox into painful muscle groups can effectively relief myofascial pain in the neck and shoulder. Read more

Moxibustion Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain

moxibustion acupuncture for chronic neck painAcupuncture has long been a popular alternative therapy for neck pain relief but moxibustion acupuncture may be novel, and a tad scary, for even aficionados of acupuncture. The idea of setting fire to a substance (moxa) at the end of an acupuncture needle may strike some as a step too far, so why is this centuries’ old practice continued, and could moxibustion acupuncture help your neck pain? Read more

NSAIDs Double the Risk of Dangerous Blood Clots

nsaids mechanism neck pain relief side effects blood clotsUsing NSAIDs to manage chronic neck pain could almost double your risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, according to new research published in the journal Rheumatology. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a popular prescription and over-the-counter remedy for relief of inflammation and pain but these drugs are far from safe, especially when used for chronic conditions. Read more

Most Commonly Used Herbs to Combat Neck Pain – Do any of these remedies actually work?

herbal pain relief neck supplement store

So many supplements! Do any of them really work for neck pain relief?

Chronic neck pain is big business, with thousands of companies worldwide selling herbal remedies for pain relief. In fact, chronic pain is the leading reason for people buying dietary supplements, but many of these remedies are of questionable merit, and some may be downright dangerous. Read more

Medical Marijuana for Chronic Neck Pain – Reducing the Risk of Opioid Overdose

medical marijuana and neck pain opioid overdosesStates in the US that allow access to medical marijuana have lower rates of fatal opioid overdoses than those where cannabis is still illegal, according to new research looking at the use of the herb for chronic pain. Writing in the JAMA Internal Medicine, Marcus Bachhuber, MD, noted that many people report dissatisfaction with opioids for chronic pain but that medical marijuana is effective at relieving that pain. Read more

Dehydration and Neck Pain

dehydration and neck painAs neck pain remedies go, few are simpler than a glass of water. This is, however, a surefire way for many people to tackle both acute and chronic neck pain. Dehydration can affect the muscles, nerves, joints and spinal discs and yet is frequently overlooked as a potential cause of sudden neck pain and ongoing neck pain so how can you tell if you’re dehydrated and what should you do about it? Read more