Pain Management
The best methods of management for conditions with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, TMJ disorder, and foot pain.
How People With Chronic Pain Feel About the Opioid Crisis
Recent discussions around opioids focus on addiction and overdoses. What’s missing from the discussion is the collective voice of 100 million Americans who live with chronic pain and frequently rely on the prescription forms of these drugs for pain relief. We asked the chronic pain community how they felt about the opioid crisis.
Pain Management Topics
Latest
12 Ways to Sleep Better With Low Back Pain
Poor sleep and back pain pretty much go hand-in-hand. The first line of defense so you can catch some Z's would be to treat your back pain — which you can do with cold or hot compresses, acupuncture, or changing up your mattress.
Read This Before You Board a Plane With Ankylosing Spondylitis
For a smooth journey — from security to baggage claim — here’s what to know about TSA medication rules, navigating the airport with a wheelchair, and preventing joint stiffness in flight.
Read This Before You Book a Flight if You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis
Catching a plane? Here’s what to know before you go, with ankylosing spondylitis — what to pack and how to navigate airline policies.
There's an App for That — Including Your RA
Life with rheumatoid arthritis is all over the map. One day, your knees are screaming in pain, the next, it’s your hands and shoulders. Here are some tools to track your symptoms so you can report them to your doctor.
10 Common Causes of Low Back Pain
Considering one of the most common reasons for a doctor's visits is low back pain, we should probably be aware of the causes — so we can avoid them. Injuries, osteoporosis and even fear can contribute to lower back pain. Learn these 10 reasons your low back might be bothering you.
Not Your Usual Back Pain Problems
When you hurt your back, you think of it stemming from lifting heavy things, falling, or taking a bad step on the stairs. But really, you’d be surprised at what could actually be the bad back culprit — like your cell phone, or smoking.
Mistakes You’re Making That Are Making Your Back Pain Worse
These are such simple everyday things that you probably don’t even realize they’re contributing to your back pain — like the foods you eat. Yep, they could be the culprit.
10 Ways to Prevent Back Pain
Back pain is a common health problem and can lead to physical disability. The best way to get ahead of back pain is to invest your time in these activities, before you’re investing in back pain health care (which can be expensive!).
Here’s Your Back Pain, With a Side of…
What comes first — the back pain, or the other health condition that causes the back pain? Either way, back pain may come with a side of these chronic conditions.
Eat This, Not That, For Ankylosing Spondylitis
While there isn’t a diet that will cure AS, there are certain things that you could be eating to help minimize your joint pain and swelling — or foods you’re eating that could be making it worse. Choose wisely.
Featured Collections
Living Well with RA
When your body's in pain, how do you move forward? Find expert advice and use the collective wisdom of fellow RA patients and caregivers to live with greater ease at home, work, and beyond.
Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Can you guess which world record this mom with RA broke? Find even more stories of men and women staying active with rheumatoid arthritis, from the dance studio to the shores of the Great Lakes.
Meet the Experts
Ginger Vieira
Patient ExpertGinger Vieira is an author who has lived with Type 1 diabetes and Celiac disease since 1999, and fibromyalgia since 2014.
Lene Andersen, MSW
Patient ExpertLene Andersen is an author, health and disability advocate, and photographer. She lives with rheumatoid arthritis.
Tracy Davenport, Ph.D.
Health WriterSince 2004, Dr. Davenport has shared her passion for health and knowledge of the psycho-social aspects of chronic diseases with the HealthCentral community.
Health News
New Generic Drug Could Improve Treatment for Opioid Dependence
The approved the first generic versions of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film for the treatment of opioid dependence to improve access to these medications for people who need them.
Baking Soda Could Help Fight Inflammatory Diseases
Baking soda is often used as an inexpensive home remedy to treat a range of health conditions, including insect bites, indigestion, and sunburn. New research suggests that it we might soon add autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, to the li...
Think Twice Before Supplement Shopping
Study finds many supplements provide few advantages to wellness (but also, no risk).