Michele Curatolo
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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About my blogs
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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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.
318 views0 comments
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
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
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,
171 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?
220 views0 comments
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.
580 views0 comments
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.
373 views0 comments
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"?
5,409 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.
181 views0 comments
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
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
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
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?
5,087 views0 comments
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.
963 views0 comments
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.
174 views0 comments
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
163 views0 comments
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
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
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