#ChronicPain

Chronic pain is a lifelong burden for millions. New research shows three non-drug therapies—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and pain reprocessing therapy (PRT)—can meaningfully reduce pain and improve quality of life. Telehealth is helping bring these options to patients in rural and underserved areas.

Global estimates show chronic pain persisting for three months or more, affecting about 8% to 11% of people, with higher rates in developed countries. In Thai clinics, back pain, headaches, and muscle problems are among the most common complaints. Beyond physical discomfort, chronic pain often disrupts sleep, mood, and daily routines. Traditional approaches rely heavily on medications, but these treatments can lose effectiveness over time and carry risks of overuse and side effects.

Emerging research is reshaping the management of chronic pain, with promising evidence for psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and pain reprocessing therapy (PRT). In a recent article by the Washington Post, experts highlighted three non-pharmacological techniques shown to help people manage persistent pain—offering hope for millions of Thais living with chronic conditions that medications alone often fail to alleviate (Washington Post).

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting three months or longer, affects between 8% to 11% of people globally, with higher rates in more industrialized countries. Thailand is no exception, where back pain, headaches, and muscle disorders are among the most common complaints seen in clinics nationwide (Wikipedia). Persistent pain drains not only physical vitality but also mental health, often leading to depression, sleep difficulties, and profound disruption of daily life. Traditionally, treatment emphasized medications—ranging from paracetamol to opioids—but these often fall short for patients with ongoing pain and pose risks such as overuse, dependence, and diminished effectiveness over time.

A Bangkok-based physical therapy professional shares a personal journey with chronic lower back pain, highlighting the reverse Jefferson curl as a potential tool for management. After two years of trying various treatments, he reports meaningful relief through a progressive, low-cost exercise. The story reflects a broader shift among Thai clinicians toward accessible, self-managed strategies for chronic back pain.

Lower back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide and poses mounting concerns in Thailand due to sedentary work, motorbike use, and heavy agricultural labor. Affordable therapies are crucial for rural and low-income communities where ongoing physical therapy can be hard to access. The reverse Jefferson curl, which stretches and strengthens the back with minimal equipment, resonates in Thailand because it supports preventive, self-care practices increasingly emphasized here.

A recent first-person account by a seasoned physical therapist on Fit&Well has generated fresh interest in the potential of the “reverse Jefferson curl” exercise for managing stubborn lower back pain. The therapist, despite years of expertise and trying various treatments for his own two-year struggle with persistent back pain, finally found relief through this exercise—a development that carries significant implications for both healthcare professionals and the millions in Thailand grappling with similar discomfort (Fit&Well).

A growing body of evidence reveals that individuals, especially women, suffering from chronic genital pain are frequently dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their pain is psychological by healthcare professionals. The phenomenon, known as “medical gaslighting,” continues to delay proper care for conditions like endometriosis and vulvodynia, each affecting approximately one in ten women in the United States. The issue underscores persistent gender bias in medicine and highlights enduring disparities impacting patients globally, including in Thailand.

Chronic genital pain affects millions, yet too many patients—especially women—face disbelief, misdiagnosis, or claims that pain is “all in the head.” This medical gaslighting delays proper care for conditions like endometriosis and vulvodynia, which studies indicate affect roughly one in ten women in the United States and have global relevance, including in Thailand.

For many sufferers, daily life is shaped by pain that makes simple acts uncomfortable and routine medical exams feel unbearable. Sexual activity can become distressing, and many patients report feeling dismissed when seeking care. A May 2025 investigative piece by The Conversation highlighted how nearly half of vulvovaginal pain patients were told to “just relax more,” with more than a third made to feel “crazy,” and over half considering abandoning medical treatment. Reports from mainstream outlets reinforce these patterns.

A century-old anatomical puzzle may finally provide relief for millions battling diabetic nerve pain, according to groundbreaking new research that has reignited scientific interest in the Nageotte nodule—a little-known cellular structure first described over a hundred years ago. The latest study, led by scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), reveals that these tiny cell clusters are not only abundant in people with diabetes, but likely play a crucial role in the development of debilitating peripheral neuropathy, a leading cause of chronic pain, diminished mobility, and even amputation worldwide.

A long-forgotten cellular clue may offer new hope for millions with diabetic nerve pain. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have revived interest in the Nageotte nodule, a tiny structure first identified a century ago. Their work suggests these nodules are common in people with diabetes and may drive peripheral neuropathy, the chronic nerve pain that afflicts many and can lead to mobility loss or amputations.

Diabetic neuropathy is among the most feared diabetes complications, affecting roughly one in three Americans and, like Thailand, presenting a growing challenge for Thai families amid rising obesity and aging. While treatment often focuses on managing pain, current options do not directly halt nerve degeneration—creating a pathway for the new findings to influence future therapies.

New research highlights a troubling pattern known as medical gaslighting—when clinicians dismiss or misattribute patients’ pain. The conversation around this issue is growing, especially for women with chronic gynecological pain. Experts say gender bias, gaps in medical training, and underfunding of women’s health research contribute to the problem, a concern echoed in studies summarized by The Conversation.

In Thailand, social taboos around sexual and reproductive health can silence discussion and delay care. Conditions such as endometriosis and vulvodynia affect about one in ten women worldwide, yet many patients report skepticism from healthcare providers. Phrases like “just relax” or “it’s all in your head” are still heard by some patients seeking help.

A growing body of research is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the phenomenon of medical gaslighting—where healthcare professionals downplay, misattribute, or dismiss their patients’ pain—bringing renewed attention to a pervasive problem especially faced by women suffering from chronic gynecological pain conditions. This latest wave of studies, as described by experts in a recently published analysis on The Conversation, suggests that medical gaslighting is not only distressingly common but also deeply rooted in systemic gender bias, knowledge gaps in medical training, and persistent underfunding of women’s health research (The Conversation).

A significant breakthrough in chronic pain management has arrived, as new research reveals that learning to control emotions can bring meaningful, sustained relief to those suffering from persistent pain. A recently published clinical trial, led by a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and reported by Neuroscience News, found that focusing on emotional regulation—not just physical symptoms—can significantly improve quality of life for chronic pain sufferers. This development is particularly significant for countries like Thailand, where chronic pain is a widespread but often poorly addressed health concern.

A new study suggests that teaching people to regulate their emotions can deliver lasting relief for chronic pain. A clinical trial led by researchers at the University of New South Wales found that focusing on emotional well-being, in addition to traditional medical care, improved quality of life for adults with persistent pain. The findings have clear relevance for Thailand, where chronic pain is common and health systems face access and capacity challenges.

A breakthrough preclinical study has revealed that clearing “zombie cells” from spinal discs may dramatically reduce chronic low back pain, a condition that affects millions of people globally and remains common among Thais. Researchers from McGill University found that two drugs—o-Vanillin and RG-7112—can target and remove these senescent cells, leading not only to reduced pain and inflammation but even signs of tissue repair in damaged spinal discs. The findings, published in Science Advances, point to a transformative new treatment that addresses the root cause of back pain rather than just masking symptoms with painkillers or surgery source.

A preclinical study suggests that removing senescent or “zombie” cells from spinal discs may dramatically reduce chronic low back pain. Researchers at McGill University found that two drugs, o-Vanillin and RG-7112, can target and clear these cells, leading to reduced inflammation and signs of tissue repair in damaged spinal discs. The findings, published in Science Advances, point to a potential treatment that addresses the root causes of back pain rather than simply masking symptoms with painkillers or surgery.

A wave of new science is reshaping how we understand touch—the earliest and among the most complex senses we rely on daily. Led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, recent work highlights how a diverse network of skin and organ sensors creates our perception of everything from a gentle kiss to a thorn’s prick. The findings also point to how disruptions in touch processing can influence chronic pain and autism, according to a feature by Quanta Magazine.

In a world where the search for effective, accessible healing methods never wanes, recent research shines a spotlight on an ancient yet modern remedy: music. A groundbreaking study published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners demonstrates how music therapy—both active and passive—can significantly improve the lives of people facing Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, chronic pain, Parkinson’s, and even seizure disorders. As reported by Neuroscience News, the findings point to music’s profound neurological impact, offering an inexpensive, non-pharmaceutical avenue for support that resonates across cultures and generations (Neuroscience News).

A fresh wave of scientific findings highlights music therapy as a versatile, low-cost approach to support people with Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, chronic pain, Parkinson’s, and seizure disorders. A study featured in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners shows that both active music making and passive listening can improve quality of life and daily functioning. Neuroscience News summarizes the evidence, emphasizing music’s profound impact on the brain and its potential as an accessible adjunct to conventional treatments.

In a scientific renaissance reshaping our understanding of human sensation, new research led by David Ginty at Harvard Medical School is illuminating the breathtaking intricacies of touch—the first sense we develop and the most complex in both scope and impact on our lives. Recent findings, highlighted in a striking feature from Quanta Magazine, reveal how a rich tapestry of specialized cellular sensors underpins our ability to perceive everything from a lover’s gentle kiss to the prick of a thorn, and show that faulty touch processing may hold the key to conditions like chronic pain and autism (Quanta Magazine).

In an exciting development from the world of medical research, scientists at Stanford University have successfully re-created a human pain pathway in the laboratory, potentially revolutionizing the search for new pain-relief drugs. This innovative approach, reported in the journal Nature, involves growing four clusters of human nerve cells, or brain organoids, that can simulate the pain response pathway usually found in the human brain. This groundbreaking work lays the groundwork for more effective and targeted treatments for pain, offering hope to millions who suffer from chronic pain conditions.

Scientists at Stanford University have created a lab-grown model of a human pain pathway, a development that could accelerate the search for new pain-relief medicines. Reported in Nature, the work involves four clusters of human nerve cells, or brain organoids, designed to mimic how pain signals travel through the brain. This breakthrough lays the groundwork for more targeted and effective pain treatments for millions living with chronic pain.

Experts say the study offers a new way to test analgesic drugs. Traditional animal testing often fails to predict how humans respond due to biological differences. The organoid model provides a closer approximation of human pain pathways, making it a potentially valuable tool in drug development. Although not involved in the study, a senior researcher from another institution welcomed the potential of this “miniature nervous system” as a flexible testing platform.