Stanford Pain Medicine

03/13/2026

After spinal cord injury, one of the first questions patients ask is: Will I walk again?

New research shows that small areas of spared tissue seen on early MRI scans are strongly associated with walking ability one year later. Patients with these “tissue bridges” were up to 8x more likely to walk.

Why this matters: Early imaging may help clinicians better guide rehab planning and recovery expectations. https://bit.ly/4s2UhKN

03/11/2026

Treating acute pain in the emergency department requires medications that work quickly and safely.

At Pain Connect 2026, Dr. Jon Lee discussed the potential use of intravenous (IV) buprenorphine to treat acute pain. His talk covered how the medication works, how it compares with other opioid pain medicines, and practical topics like dosing and when it may be helpful.

Researchers at Stanford Emergency Medicine are also studying how IV buprenorphine works in real emergency department settings. Early experience suggests it may provide pain relief similar to other opioids and may last longer for some patients.

Dr. Lee also shared insights from clinical experience at Stanford and discussed areas where more research is still needed.

03/09/2026

Chronic pain is shaped by more than injuries or structural problems.

At Pain Connect 2026, Natacha Telusca, MD, Heather King, PhD, and Corinne Cooley, PT discussed how lifestyle factors, including nutrition, sleep, stress, and physical activity, can influence pain through their effects on inflammation, the nervous system, and overall function.

Lifestyle medicine focuses on evidence-based approaches that target these everyday factors. Research suggests they may help reduce pain sensitivity, improve resilience, and support recovery alongside other pain treatments.

03/05/2026

Chronic pain communicates through more than symptoms.

At the American Academy of Pain Medicine's , Dr. Kristen Slater, PsyD is exploring the many ways patients convey important clinical information — through their stories, behaviors, emotions, and physiology.

Learning to recognize these signals, and respond with empathy, can help clinicians better understand the pain experience and strengthen the patient–clinician relationship.

03/04/2026

Low back pain and widespread body pain are among the most common reasons patients seek care.

Most cases of low back pain are non-specific, meaning there isn’t a clear injury or disease causing the pain. Clinicians also look for “red flag” conditions that may signal a more serious problem.

Conditions like fibromyalgia and nociplastic pain remind us that pain isn’t always about tissue damage. Sometimes the nervous system itself becomes more sensitive to pain signals.

These are some of the key concepts Theresa Mallick-Searle will discuss this week at AAPM Pain Connect, Thursday at 2 PM

02/27/2026

A single dose of psilocybin did not reduce pain in mice.

In a new 2026 study published in Nature Communications, researchers tested psilocybin across three common models of pain: inflammatory pain, nerve injury pain, and widespread muscle pain.

They measured touch, heat, cold, and pain-related behaviors. Across doses, time points, and both male and female mice, they found no immediate or lasting pain relief.

What this means:
-This study suggests psilocybin may not act as a direct painkiller — at least in these animal models.
-It does not answer whether psilocybin could help people in other ways, such as improving mood, coping, or quality of life. Human clinical trials are still ongoing.

Full paper: https://bit.ly/4qZEPxm

02/26/2026

Exercise is one of the most studied non-drug treatments for chronic pain. Gentle movement can help calm the body’s pain signals, reduce inflammation, and release natural chemicals that ease pain and support mood. Over time, it can also make everyday activities feel more manageable.

Research shows that exercise consistently improves strength and physical function. Changes in pain levels are different for everyone, and some people may notice more improvement than others.

It’s also important to note that exercise is a form of stress on the body. Doing too much too quickly can lead to flares, which is why the right “dose” and slow, steady progress matter.
At our next pain science lecture on 3/2, Dr. Joshua Hardy will review what the science tells us about exercise and pain, including how it works, what risks to watch for, and how to start safely.

Register for free: https://bit.ly/40xpb2c

02/25/2026

We recently asked people living with chronic pain, “if you were newly diagnosed, what would you want someone to tell you?” Here’s what they said.

02/23/2026

When people hear “pain psychology,” they often think...

• “Are you saying it’s all in my head?”
• “So this is just stress?”
• “Does this mean my pain isn’t real?”

The science says the opposite. Learn why:

Pain psychology for chronic pain: explore self-empowerment and practical coping tools proven to improve daily life

02/19/2026

People often experience four phases of migraine:

1. Prodrome – hours or days before the headache: changes in mood, light sensitivity, yawning, food cravings, or neck pain.

2. Aura – visual changes, numbness, tingling, or trouble speaking (in about 30% of people).

3. Headache phase – throbbing pain, often with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

4. Postdrome – fatigue, brain fog, and weakness that can last for days.

Because migraine involves the brain’s pain and sensory networks, symptoms can also include dizziness, numbness, or body pain — not just head pain. Learn more: https://stan.md/40ocXYU

02/13/2026

Love does more than make Valentine’s Day cards sentimental.

Brain imaging studies show that thinking about someone you love can reduce how strongly pain is felt, by activating the brain’s reward and safety systems. It’s a reminder that connection isn’t just emotional—it’s biological.

02/12/2026

We’re thrilled to share that our own Dr. Theresa Lii’s paper, “Ketamine: Beyond NMDA Antagonism” was one of ASA Monitor’s “most read” of 2025!