Acupuncture as Part of Multimodal Analgesia for Chronic Pain.

Background: Chronic pain is a multifactorial condition that is afflicting populations worldwide causing an increasing economic, physical, mental, and emotional burden. Treatments range from medications to interventional procedures to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as acupuncture. This review aims to discuss the use of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain, proposed mechanisms, indications, and efficacy for various chronic pain conditions.

An Update on Postoperative Opioid Use and Alternative Pain Control Following Spine Surgery.

Opioids are commonly prescribed postoperatively for pain control, especially in spine surgery. Not only does this pose concerns for potential abuse, but it also has been shown to worsen certain outcomes. Risk factors for increased use include preoperative opioid use, female sex, psychiatric diagnoses, and drug and alcohol use.

Calcitonin (FORTICAL, MIACALCIN) for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures.

Purpose Of Review: Osteoporosis is a common condition affecting the musculoskeletal system. It carries with it increased risks of fracture in many areas of the body, leading to reduced quality of life, limited mobility, and other long-term implications such as chronic pain. Vertebral compression fractures are a common development in patients with osteoporosis.

Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain.

Context: Abdominal pain is a widespread complaint and is one of the common reasons leading patients to seek medical care, either in emergency situations or with their primary providers. While acute abdominal pain is a better defined, usually surgical condition, chronic abdominal pain requires longer, typically lifelong, therapy. Chronic abdominal pain may also present with acute flares and complications.

Lasmiditan for the Treatment of Migraines With or Without Aura in Adults.

Migraines are a common form of primary headache, affecting women more than men (17.4% and 5.7% of US population, respectively, a total of 12%) that carry significant morbidity and disability, as well as a hefty healthcare price tag.

Istradefylline to Treat Patients with Parkinson's Disease Experiencing "Off" Episodes: A Comprehensive Review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that leads to significant morbidity and disability. PD is caused by a loss of dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), and peripherally; the syndromic parkinsonism symptoms of movement disorder, gait disorder, rigidity and tremor are mostly driven by the loss of these neurons in the basal ganglia. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients taking levodopa, the standard of care treatment for PD, will begin to experience a decrease in effectiveness at varying times.