Relieving the Pain of Infant Vaccinations. As if the whole subject of vaccinating infants isn’t prickly enough, it’s complicated by the fact that vaccinations hurt! In fact, parents cite the pain and crying as the most important reason they don’t have their children vaccinated.

Chronic pelvic pain is a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma that can be frustrating for women, men, and healthcare providers. Read on to learn about this challenging multifactoral condition in women and men and guidelines for an integrated management approach.

Osteoarthritis as a Chronic Disease: Maximizing Management in Primary Care. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious disease characterized by chronic arthropathy, disruption of joint cartilage, osteophyte formation, and synovial fluid abnormalities. OA affects an estimated 27 million Americans, making it the most common of more than 100 types of arthritis. The prevalence of OA increases with age, and currently 34% of individuals older than 65 years have OA. Until recently, most OA in younger patients has been attributable to joint trauma.

A Case of the Injured Steel Worker. A 45-year-old white male steel worker presented to the Urgent Care Clinic three days after an accident at work. He received a crush injury from a bucket at the end of a boom, which continued to move forward—eventually pinning him between a steel beam and the side of the bucket.

Case Study: Severe Facial Pain and Stiff Neck. "For the past three days I’ve had a pain in my jaw and it’s really hard to swallow. I also have a really stiff neck and I feel sort of feverish and anxious. Could I have meningitis?”

AAN Issues New Guidelines for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Painful diabetic neuropathy is among the most common neurological problems, affecting an estimated 16% of the 25 million Americans living with diabetes. Primary care has an increasing role in the diagnosis and treatment of PDN, as early accurate diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve the prognosis.

New Guideline Discourages Routine Use of Diagnostic Imaging for Low Back Pain. According to a new clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, diagnostic imaging for low back pain increases complications and costs but does not improve clinical outcomes. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for a patient to see a healthcare provider and many patients with low back pain receive routine imaging that is not beneficial and can lead to a series of unnecessary additional tests, interventions, follow-ups, and referrals.

Can Acupuncture Treat Low Back Pain? Chronic low back pain is a very common condition that can be refractory to usual care. Acupuncture, in combination with usual care, provides a treatment option that may interest patients who favor complementary and alternative therapies. Read on to learn more about this ancient Chinese therapy and the evidence for its role in the treatment of low back pain.

Current Therapeutic Considerations in Osteoarthritis Management.The prevalence of osteoarthritis in the United States has risen rapidly in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue as the elderly population grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that OA affected approximately 27 million Americans in 2005, which was an increase from the 21 million reported in 1990. The rates were higher in women than in men, especially among those older than 50 years of age.

Strategies for Success: Pharmacologic Management of Persistent Pain in the Older Adult. The United States is projected to experience a rapid growth in its older population between 2010 and 2050 as the so-called baby boomers cross into this category. According to current projections, by 2030 there will be approximately 71.5 million Americans aged 65 years and older representing nearly 20% of the total population.

Optimizing Pain Management in the Primary Care Setting. Chronic pain is a serious medical problem in the United States, affecting millions of Americans and costing the healthcare system billions of dollars. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 25% or 1 in 4 Americans reported pain persisting for more than 24 hours with 1 in 3 Americans indicating their pain was “disabling.”