A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment and Management of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a musculoskeletal pain condition that stems from localized, taut regions of skeletal muscle and fascia, termed trigger points. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to provide updated information on prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment modalities with a focus on interventional modalities in managing MPS. RECENT FINDINGS: Though MPS can present acutely, it frequently presents as a chronic condition, affecting up to 85% of adults during their lifetime. MPS is an often-overlooked component of pain with overarching effects on society, including patient quality of life, physical and social functioning, emotional well-being, energy, and costs on health care. The prevalence of MPS is generally increased among patients with other chronic pain disorders and has been associated with various other conditions such as bladder pain syndrome, endometriosis, and anxiety. MPS is poorly understood and remains a challenging condition to treat. Non-pharmacologic treatment modalities such as acupuncture, massage, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, and interferential current therapy may offer relief to some patients with MPS. Additional studies are warranted to get a better understanding of managing myofascial pain.

A Comprehensive Review of Alternative Therapies for the Management of Chronic Pain Patients: Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Chiropractic Care.

INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacologic alternative therapies for pain have been around for a long time, some for hundreds of years. They have been used throughout history to treat many issues. RECENT FINDINGS: Currently, alternative medicine is most frequently used to treat musculoskeletal pain, and between 59 and 90% of patients utilizing alternative therapies for chronic pain claimed they were helpful and can serve as an effective adjunctive for the treatment of chronic pain. Some examples of alternative therapies that will be discussed in this review include acupuncture, tai chi, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care. Acupuncture, traditionally a Chinese practice, is becoming more popular across the world to attempt to relieve pain. It involves the placement of thin needles at various points in the body. The efficacy of acupuncture for pain is heavily debated. More research and discussion are necessary to determine the exact role it plays in the treatment of chronic pain. Tai chi is also a traditional Chinese practice that is often used as a form of meditation and for potential health benefits. Tai chi involves a series of complex movements such as squatting combined with deep breathing to achieve relaxation and pain reduction. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a technique used by both osteopathic physicians (DO) as well as other health professionals to manage a wide range of conditions in any given patient. The technique involves utilization and manipulation of the musculoskeletal system to achieve potential health benefits. OMT has been used as therapy for many issues but is commonly used for pain conditions. Alternative therapies may serve as an effective adjunctive treatment modality for the management of chronic pain conditions. There has been a tremendous amount of research dictating the effectiveness of alternative therapies for chronic pain management. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based update of alternative therapy used for the management of chronic pain conditions.

Revisiting Oxycodone Analgesia: A Review and Hypothesis.

Oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid analgesic, is widely used in clinical practice. Oxycodone and morphine seem to be equally effective and equipotent; however, morphine is 10 times more potent than oxycodone when given epidurally. This article provides an updated review of the basic pharmacology of oxycodone with a special focus on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics properties. The controversy regarding oxycodone-mediated effects for visceral pain via agonism and the possible role of peripheral opioid analgesia are discussed in the present investigation in an attempt to propose a plausible explanation to the perplexing question of oxycodone analgesia.

Pharmacology of Octreotide: Clinical Implications for Anesthesiologists and Associated Risks.

Many patients presenting with a history of foregut, midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) or carcinoid syndrome can experience life-threatening carcinoid crises during anesthesia or surgery. Clinicians should understand the pharmacology of octreotide and appreciate the use of continuous infusions of high-dose octreotide, which can minimize intraoperative carcinoid crises. We administer a prophylactic 500-µg bolus of octreotide intravenously (IV) and begin a continuous infusion of 500 µg/h for all NET patients. Advantages include low cost and excellent safety profile. High-dose octreotide for midgut and foregut NETs requires an appreciation of the pathophysiology involved in the disease, pharmacology, drug-drug interactions, and side effects.