Pain News Network

Pain News Network Pain News Network is an independent, non-profit online news source for information and commentary about chronic pain and illness. and over 200 other countries.
(230)

It is estimated that 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain and about 50 million in the United States. Although chronic pain is a common experience, many pain sufferers feel isolated and misunderstood by their doctors, co-workers, family and friends. Many also go untreated or under-treated by the healthcare system. In 2019, your donations helped PNN reach nearly 1.8 million people in the U.S.

Scientists have found a way to change fentanyl molecules so the drug doesn't suppress breathing as much, yet is still an...
02/16/2026

Scientists have found a way to change fentanyl molecules so the drug doesn't suppress breathing as much, yet is still an effective pain reliever. It could pave the way for a new generation of synthetic opioids with lower risk of causing an overdose.

By Pat Anson Scientists at Scripps Research have found a way to change fentanyl’s molecular structure to reduce the risk of overdosing, while at the same time preserving its pain-relieving properties.  The findings, published in the ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters , suggest that

Eating is not a simple task when you have chronic pain or a chronic illness. Shopping for food, preparing it, cooking, a...
02/16/2026

Eating is not a simple task when you have chronic pain or a chronic illness. Shopping for food, preparing it, cooking, and cleaning up after a meal can be exhausting. If you're tired of settling for cereal, PNN's Crystal Lindell has some tips to make meals easier.

By Crystal Lindell One of the biggest hurdles many people with chronic pain face is finding something to eat. It’s literally a daily challenge that has to be solved. Personally, it’s something I struggled with even before I started having chronic pain in my right ribs. Finding food three times a

Have you heard of microcurrent therapy? It's like a TENS device, but uses even less electricity -- not to relieve pain -...
02/12/2026

Have you heard of microcurrent therapy? It's like a TENS device, but uses even less electricity -- not to relieve pain -- but to stimulate the body's natural healing properties. PNN's Madora Pennington says it worked on some of her nagging injuries.

By Madora Pennington If you suffer from chronic muscle or soft tissue pain, a physical therapist or doctor may have recommended you get a TENS unit. A traditional  TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)  device sends a low-voltage current through an injured area of t

From the UK.
02/12/2026

From the UK.

THE UK is facing a “distressing” shortage of co-codamol – a painkiller used by millions of Brits to treat severe pain every year, pharmacy experts have warned. The drug, which is …

Remember Jeff Foxworthy? He's a comedian who became popular for his funny routine about, "You might be a redneck if..." ...
02/11/2026

Remember Jeff Foxworthy? He's a comedian who became popular for his funny routine about, "You might be a redneck if..."

PNN's Crystal Lindell borrowed the idea for her comic rendition of, "You might have chronic pain if..."

By Crystal Lindell Back in the 90s, comedian Jeff Foxworthy had this whole bit about, “You might be a redneck if…”   He’d start off with a funny description and then make the obvious conclusion, like: “If you ever cut your grass and found a car… you might be a redneck.” It w

A Medicare pilot program launched in six states could deny coverage for several pain treatments, including epidural ster...
02/10/2026

A Medicare pilot program launched in six states could deny coverage for several pain treatments, including epidural steroid injections, cervical fusions and some arthroscopic surgeries.

By Grace Mackleby and Jeff Mar r Medicare has launched a six-year pilot program that could eventually transform access to health care for some of the millions of people across the U.S. who rely on it for their health insurance coverage. Traditional Medicare is a government-administered

Researchers have identified 4 key risk factors that make surgery patients significantly more likely to use opioids long-...
02/09/2026

Researchers have identified 4 key risk factors that make surgery patients significantly more likely to use opioids long-term. Being on Medicaid is one of them. Should that affect the treatment patients get?

By Pat Anson Patients on Medicaid and those who have a history of anxiety, mood disorders, or benzodiazepine use are significantly more likely to use opioids long-term after surgery, according to a new analysis. The study, published in the journal Pain Medicine , could provoke fresh debate

President Trump has ordered the DEA to reschedule ma*****na as a Schedule III controlled substance, but the debate conti...
02/08/2026

President Trump has ordered the DEA to reschedule ma*****na as a Schedule III controlled substance, but the debate continues over whether that should happen or even what it means. Here's what could happen.

By Chris Meyers Medical ma*****na could soon be reclassified into a medical category that includes prescription drugs like Tylenol with codeine, ketamine and anabolic steroids . That’s because in December 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reschedule ma*****na to

Making new friends and staying connected with old ones can be hard when you have chronic pain. PNN's Crystal LindeIl say...
02/07/2026

Making new friends and staying connected with old ones can be hard when you have chronic pain. PNN's Crystal LindeIl says it's well worth the effort.

By Crystal Lindell Every month before book club, I count out some pain pills. I have to make sure I have a dose to take before I leave the house, so that they will be fully working when I arrive. And I have to make sure I have another dose to bring along – in case things run late and my pain start

The most harmful drug in Canada is not fentanyl, co***ne, he**in or prescription opioids. It's not even a street drug. A...
02/06/2026

The most harmful drug in Canada is not fentanyl, co***ne, he**in or prescription opioids. It's not even a street drug. A panel of experts ranked a legal drug as the most dangerous by a wide margin.

By Pat Anson The most dangerous drug in Canada doesn’t require a prescription. You can’t smoke, v**e, snort, or inject it. It doesn’t come in a pill, patch or edible. It’s responsible for as many as 18-thousand deaths every year in Canada and can result in a lifetime of addiction. It ruins m...

Address

Box 525
Monrovia, CA
91017

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pain News Network posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Pain News Network:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Our Story

Pain News Network is an independent non-profit online news service that provides daily, in-depth coverage about chronic pain and pain management. Our mission is to raise awareness about chronic pain, and to connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience.