Tag: pain

Medical Humanities, neuroscience

I Only Want What’s in Your Mind and Heart”: The Origins and Science of Total Pain in Oncology

So here’s the thing about pain: it’s complicated. Last weekend I was on call when my phone rang. It was an elderly woman in her 80s with advanced cancer that had been stable. Her chart said “pain well-controlled on optimized opioid regimen” – one of those clinical phrases we use that sometimes means everything and sometimes means nothing at all. She started talking about bone … Continue reading I Only Want What’s in Your Mind and Heart”: The Origins and Science of Total Pain in Oncology

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MD
neuroscience, Research Articles

The Jellyfish, the Poppy, and the Future of Pain Relief: A New Chapter Begins

Ancient Remedies and Modern Crises: The Poppy’s Legacy For centuries, humanity has sought relief from pain, and the poppy, with its potent analgesic properties, became deeply entwined with our history and culture. In 1805, a young German pharmacist’s apprentice, Friedrich Sertürner, refined this ancient remedy, isolating morphine and revolutionizing pain management. This breakthrough, however, paved the way not only for the widespread use of morphine … Continue reading The Jellyfish, the Poppy, and the Future of Pain Relief: A New Chapter Begins

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MD
neuroscience, Research Articles

New Insights: Exercise to Combat Chemotherapy Neuropathy

It turns out that there is yet another thing that exercise helps for – chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). It not only helps to diminish the symptoms of neuropathy that already took place, but it can prevent it (!), which many other things that have been vigorously tried before (vitamins, fish oil, medications, etc.) failed to do so. It is potentially quite paradigm changing finding that … Continue reading New Insights: Exercise to Combat Chemotherapy Neuropathy

Unknown's avatarMarcin Chwistek, MD