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

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

Michele Curatolo

Oct 9, 20242 min read

70 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

Jan 24, 20243 min read

216 views

0 comments

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?

Michele Curatolo

Jun 12, 20234 min read

226 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

Nov 16, 20223 min read

136 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

Oct 24, 20225 min read

278 views

0 comments

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

Michele Curatolo

Jun 22, 20222 min read

216 views

0 comments

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?

Michele Curatolo

Jun 8, 20223 min read

201 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

May 25, 20223 min read

96 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

Feb 23, 20223 min read

896 views

0 comments

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?

Michele Curatolo

Feb 9, 20222 min read

102 views

0 comments

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.

Michele Curatolo

Feb 2, 20223 min read

139 views

1 comment

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

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

Michele Curatolo

Jan 11, 20223 min read

240 views

0 comments

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...

Michele Curatolo

Dec 22, 20213 min read

275 views

0 comments

Pain Sensitivity: What is it?

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

Michele Curatolo

Dec 8, 20213 min read

411 views

0 comments

About my blogs

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

One more reason to consider injections for chronic pain

Learning about chronic pain can reduce pain

Disc degeneration and low back pain

Placebo for pain: from enemy to friend

Is the distinction between acute and chronic pain meaningful?

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

Explaining "pain sensitization" to patients

The huge gap between discoveries and availability of effective pain medications

What does local tenderness say about the origin of pain?

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

How blood and urine metabolites could help understand chronic pain

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

Muscle pain: Where does it come from?

Pain Sensitivity: What is it?

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