(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23) acupuncture. “For people who experience migraines, receiving acupuncture regularly can help reduce headache intensity and frequency,” says Monroe. Also, some research shows that acupuncture may help thwart a full-blown attack once migraine symptoms have already set in. However, Monroe does stress that
For an acupuncturist near you, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
treatment should start soon after the first sign of an attack, which may not always be feasible for patients.
FIBROMYALGIA. In a review pub- lished in 2010, investigators sized up seven clinical trials and came up with conflicting evidence of acupuncture’s symptom-reducing benefits for fibro- myalgia patients. Still, other research suggests that eight weeks of acupunc- ture treatments can combat fibromy- algia-related pain and fatigue; a small preliminary study at the University of Michigan suggests that even four weeks of treatment could enhance the body’s response to opioid medications. “In many cases, acupuncture can quickly relieve the pain, tenderness and joint discomfort associated with fibromyal- gia,” says Monroe, though she adds ex- treme fatigue can make the road to recovery more complicated. PR elizabeth barker is a health writer based in Los Angeles.
Fitness
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33) his doctor’s okay, Civitano continued to work with his trainer after his operations to build back his strength by weight-training with kettle bells and body weight,
62 PAIN RESOURCE FALL 2012
working around his injuries to keep fit and speed up healing. “Strength train- ing has helped me recover from all of my injuries,” says Civitano.
DON’T GIVE IN TO THE FEAR. After Barbara Waldman underwent surgery for a low back and hip injury she sustained from improper Pilates training, she definitely didn’t expect her surgeon to recommend Pilates to regain her strength and mobility. Not surprisingly, the 70-year-old was afraid she’d get hurt again. “Even though I had enjoyed exercising so much before, I was reluctant to move at all [after the surgery],” she remembers. But when a friend introduced her to a Pilates train- er who worked with injured clients, Waldman decided to give it a try. “I didn’t realize that I was tightening up and moving with fear,” she says. “My instructor taught me to relax and not be afraid of movement.” Within six months Waldman’s strength—and con- fidence—had returned. “I feel stronger now than I ever thought possible.” PR teri hanson is a fitness writer and Pilates trainer based in Los Angeles.
Trigeminal
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17) options are typically recommended, such as mi- crovascular decompression, a type of brain surgery to access the back of the brain and add cushioning between any artery in contact with the trigeminal nerve. “The surgeon inserts a small pad of Teflon or fat between the blood ves- sel and the nerve it is irritating,” ex- plains Delfino. “Upwards of 75 percent of patients who have the surgery are without pain [afterward].” Risks of the procedure include hearing loss and nerve injury. Another effective treat- ment is radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to damage the nerve, prevent- ing pain signals from transmitting.
Are there emerging treatments? Gamma knife radiosurgery is the least-
invasive option, with fewer complica- tions, and it does not require general anesthesia. The procedure delivers a focused, high-dose beam of radiation to the affected nerve, damaging it so the nerve won’t fire and cause pain. As with any treatment, though, TN can come back months or even years later.
Where can I find more info? You can contact the TNA Facial Pain Association (fpa-support.org) or Facial Neuralgia Resources (facial-neuralgia. org). Note that the associations’ web- sites have hyphens in their URLs. PR rachel grumman is a health and beauty writer in New York City.
Kids and Pain
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60) up until now, no one my age gets what I’m going through. I don’t like talking about the pain, but this peer group is different. It hit me when I was talking with them: There are people with this; I’m not alone and that makes me feel better.” More than a decade after her har-
rowing close call, Ashley Goodall is doing her part as well. Goodall’s non- profit organization, Rock Out to Knock
“If I’m always going to live with this pain, at least I have techniques to help me manage it,” says Georgia Huston.
Out RSD (tkorsds.org), helps other kids with the condition. The group spon- sors concerts to raise awareness of RSD and money to create educational ma- terials like the pamphlet that saved her arm. “I still have my ups and downs with how I feel physically, but when I can help others that, too, makes me feel a whole lot better.” PR jen christensen is an investigative pro- ducer and documentary filmmaker at CNN in Atlanta.