Peptide Activates Receptor To Reduce Neuropathic Pain

Today's post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) looks at trials of ARA 290, which is a peptide. Peptides are naturally occurring biological molecules but that won't mean much to most people either. Put very simply, when neuropathic damage occurs, the nervous system's normal repair receptors are turned off. When ARA 290 is introduced, the repair receptor is reactivated, which in turn represses inflammation and restores the body's natural ability to repair damage. I know; it's incredibly difficult for the layman to understand but if you read the article, you should get the point. Basically, molecular science is being used to find a way for pain signals to be dampened and we should see that as good news. A feature of the last couple of years, is the emergence of news in the stem-cell and molecular science areas, that shows that neuropathic pain is being taken very seriously and there are serious efforts to find ways to tackle it. We don't have to understand exactly how it works but knowing that it shows progress towards a positive result for us all, is very reassuring. All we have to do now is wait and hope that they get to practical treatments as soon as possible.

Novel agent decreases neuropathic pain in patients with type 2 diabetes  Source: North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System Date: December 15, 2014

Summary:

A promising profile of disease modification and pain reduction leads to proof-of-concept trials, scientists report. "The results from this study indicate a major breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes," said one expert.

Molecular Medicine, a peer-reviewed biomedical journal published by the Feinstein Institute Press, published the results of a new study reporting clinically significant pain reduction in type 2 diabetic patients. In an exploratory study conducted by Araim Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing novel treatments for chronic diseases, investigators also observed improvements in metabolic control in patients administered ARA 290. ARA 290 is a peptide engineered to activate the innate repair receptor, a receptor discovered by Araim scientists, which is only expressed following tissue damage or stress.

In the initial study, patients were administered ARA 290, a novel, first-in-class drug, daily for 28 days, with the purpose of evaluating its efficacy in treating neuropathic pain, a common condition among diabetics. When ARA 290 is administered, the repair receptor is activated and subsequently turns off inflammation and turns on the body's natural repair system. The short half-life of ARA 290, coupled with the restricted expression of the innate repair receptor, functions as a dual safety system to avoid potential side effects.

"The results from this study indicate a major breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes," said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Editor of Molecular Medicine. "Over the years, Molecular Medicine has prided itself on publishing groundbreaking papers with implications on the broader medical community, and we're proud to have a potential disease-modifying solution to diabetes featured in the current issue."

The clinically significant results and excellent safety profile support Araim's development strategy of two future studies in 2015. First, metabolic improvement will be studied in type 2 diabetics with moderate kidney damage. Second, neuropathic pain reduction will be assessed in a multi-center proof of concept trial in type 1 diabetics. Both phase 2 clinical trials will be conducted in the United Kingdom, and patients will be dosed daily for six months to allow time for adequate tissue repair.

"We're excited to be on the cusp of the first diabetic disease modifier that demonstrates the potential to repair the complications of diabetes systemically," said Anthony Cerami, PhD, CEO of Araim Pharmaceuticals." Dr. Cerami developed the HbA1c diagnostic test, the current gold standard for diagnosing diabetes.

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141215101647.htm

8 Gly Carb To Help Reduce Neuropathic Pain

Today's post from fiercebiotechresearch.com (see link below) talks about microglia, which are cells in the spinal cord that are responsible for releasing nitrous oxide when there's nerve damage. This nitrous oxide is partly responsible for the extent of your neuropathic pain at a later stage. Scientists have found a compound which (simply put) can inhibit nitrous oxide release and thus theoretically, reduce pain and other symptoms. The compound is called 6-chloro-8-(glycinyl)-amino-β-carbolin, or 8-Gly carb which hardly rolls off the tongue for patients but the name isn't important, its potential is.As usual, the end product is still somewhere in the future but every little snippet of news increases our general understanding of our condition and puts pressure on the relevant authorities to work as fast as they can to improve our lives with neuropathy.

UC Davis team finds a prime drug candidate for neuropathic pain  

February 10, 2015 | By John Carroll

Neuropathic pain has been linked closely to microglia, immune cells in the spinal cord which are known to release cytokines and other chemicals including nitrous oxide in the wake of peripheral nerve damage. A team of UC Davisresearchers says that inhibiting nitrous oxide at the time that nerve damage is done could prevent neuropathic pain from occurring later. And they've found a compound that they say is very effective at doing just that.

The compound is 6-chloro-8-(glycinyl)-amino-β-carbolin, or 8-Gly carb, which belongs to a class of compounds known to blunt nitrous oxide. The team says that this compound is significantly better at that task than any other known compound. And it appears to do its work without blocking cytokine expression.

Neuropathic pain often doesn't begin until well after physical trauma. And once it does begin it can linger for years as the brain is believed to be misinterpreting nerve signals from the site of the damage.

"A compound like 8-Gly carb that selectively targets nitrous oxide production and does not block cytokine expression makes a promising candidate for drug development aimed at preventing a neuropathic pain syndrome without interfering with recovery," said Fredric Gorin, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Neurology and co-principal investigator for the study.

Now new preclinical work is being planned that could set the stage for clinical studies.

- here's the release

http://www.fiercebiotechresearch.com/story/uc-davis-team-finds-prime-drug-candidate-neuropathic-pain/2015-02-10

NEW CHOLESTEROL GUIDELINES REDUCE HEART ATTACKS

Study from UT Southwestern researchers found that recently introduced cholesterol guidelines would significantly reduce new cardiovascular events, when compared to treatment based on previous cholesterol guidelines.

The research identified Dallas Heart Study participants in the 30 to 65 age range who would have newly qualified for statin use under the new cholesterol guidelines introduced in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA).

In this subset of patients, the study predicted that 3.6 to 4.9 cardiovascular events would have been prevented for every 1,000 people screened and treated according to the new guidelines rather than the old guidelines (using a risk-reduction factor of 30 percent to 45 percent, depending on the statin dosage). The Dallas Heart Study is a multiethnic, population-based study of thousands of Dallas County adults whose cardiovascular health has been followed for 10 years.

Projecting these findings onto the larger Dallas County population, about 4,500 serious heart problems would have been prevented in individuals 30 to 65 years of age over a 10-year period by following the new cholesterol guidelines.

When the new guidelines were introduced -- replacing previous guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program/Third Adult Treatment Panel -- they provoked heated debate over the sizeable increase in statin eligibility. However, the UT Southwestern study supports the merit of the new cholesterol guidelines, as well as increased statin use.

"This is one of the first studies to carefully predict the implications of the new guidelines in the general population beyond just the amount of increase in statin use," said Dr. Amit Khera, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Preventive Cardiology Program at UT Southwestern. "Does it look like these new guidelines will prevent heart attacks and strokes? The answer is, 'yes,'" he said.

Dr. Khera is senior author of the recently published study, which appeared inCirculation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines recommend statins for patients with existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and very high levels of LDL cholesterol, as well as for patients with a high 10-year risk for heart disease.

The previous guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program/Third Adult Treatment Panel were based on a different formula that involved targeting specific cholesterol levels. Some patients fall out of statin eligibility under the new guidelines, but some 12.8 million more are newly eligible.

Among Dallas Heart Study participants who actually experienced a cardiovascular event, 37.1 percent more of those patients would have been placed on statins if the new guidelines had been in place. Among participants who did not experience a cardiovascular event, only 3.9 percent more patients would have been prescribed statins.

"There has been a lot of emphasis on the increased use of statins and a lot of emphasis on the risk calculator," said Dr. Khera, who holds the Dallas Heart Ball Chair in Hypertension and Heart Disease. "Yes, there is some additional statin use, but according to our results, this use seems appropriate, at least in this age group."

Can Lasers Possibly Help Reduce Neuropathy Problems

Today's post from neuropathydr.com (see link below) looks at laser therapy for neuropathic problems. The problem is that this article doesn't explain how laser therapy works, or the science behind it; it just states that many cases of neuropathy can be helped by using directed lasers. If you're interested in the possibilities, it would be advisable to talk it over carefully with your doctor or specialist and find out exactly what's involved. it's true that lasers are being used as surgical tools but how this can help with nerve damage is unclear.

Laser Neuropathy Treatment: How Does It Help?
Posted by Editor on November 17, 2014
 
Lasers are no longer the giant, destructive beams that were featured in sci-fi movies of the past. Today, laser neuropathy treatment uses low-level focused lasers with healing powers.

Lasers used to be the stuff of science fiction, but today they seem to be everywhere—from the checkout station at your local library to the self-scan at the grocery store. Of course, lasers have also been in use as a surgical tool for many years now.

These days, the use of Low Level Laser Therapy, or LLLT, and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) is commonplace, with much continuing research that shows their effectiveness as healing modalities for neuropathic pain and discomfort.

The fact is, many cases of peripheral neuropathy can be significantly improved with the use of laser neuropathy treatment. Laser treatment can reduce symptoms in chronic pain and even for conditions like disc degeneration and spinal stenosis. What’s more, the use of lasers can also help to stimulate nerves in order to speed up the body’s natural healing process.

You don’t need to understand the actual science behind how lasers work, which can be pretty challenging for the layperson to grasp. But the user experience of laser neuropathy treatment is simple. A laser is a painless and highly focused light beam, which is carefully directed at a specific part of your body for short amounts of time. The time duration and laser power is based on research about the effects of laser treatment on certain body tissues.

Laser neuropathy treatment isn’t an immediate fix for your chronic pain or discomfort. It does take several treatments for an effect to be noticed. However, many patients see a significant positive change within about 12 treatments.

http://neuropathydr.com/laser-neuropathy-treatment-overview/

DAILY MEDITATION MAY REDUCE MIGRAINE PAIN

For those suffering from migraine attacks, daily meditation might be a good idea for instant relief.

During a small study, researchers assessed the safety, feasibility and effects of a standardised meditation and yoga intervention called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in adults with migraines.

Nineteen adults were assigned to two groups with 10 receiving the MBSR intervention and nine receiving standard medical care.

The participants attended eight weekly classes to learn MBSR techniques and were instructed to practice 45 minutes on their own at least five additional days per week.

“We found that MBSR participants had trends of fewer migraines that were less severe,” said Rebecca Erwin Wells, an assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre in North Carolina.

Secondary effects included headaches that were shorter in duration and less disabling.

Participants had increases in mindfulness and self-efficacy - a sense of personal control over migraine pain.

“In addition, there were no adverse events and excellent adherence,” Wells reported.

Specifically, the MBSR participants had 1.4 fewer migraines per month that were less severe.

The participants' headaches were significantly shorter as compared to the control group.

“MBSR is a safe and feasible therapy for adults with migraines. Although the sample size of this pilot study was small, secondary outcomes demonstrated this intervention had a beneficial effect on headache duration, disability, self-efficacy and mindfulness,” researchers concluded.

The paper was published online in the journal Headache.

Salicylates Found In Aspirin May Reduce Neuropathic Pain

Today's post from herald-review.com (see link below) takes a look at the possibility that Salicylates (most commonly found in aspirin) may be able to help control the symptoms of neuropathy by reducing so-called proinflammatory cytokynes (you're going to need to Google that one - not enough space here). Recent research suggests that Salicylates will target these cytokines, thus reducing  the symptoms that make our lives miserable. It's a short article and interesting but you may need to increase your background knowledge through your own research to understand the science behind it. One thing is sure (and the article emphasises this) you should consult with your doctor or neurologist before taking too much aspirin.

Dear Pharmacist: Salicylates may be key to easing neuropathy
SUZY COHEN For the Herald Review Apr 13, 2016

We take for granted the comfort we feel in our hands and feet, but some people have lost that comfort, and they suffer all day long with strange nerve-related concerns. There is new research about aspirin that could help them; but first, let’s talk about that nerve pain, called “neuropathy.”

Neuropathy feels like you are touching or stepping on pins and needles. It can affect you all over, not just your hands and feet. Depending on various factors (race, age, weight, alcohol consumption, insulin and A1c), your experience of neuropathy may also include pain, vibration or buzzing sensations, lightheadedness, burning sensations (even in your tongue), trigeminal neuralgia or cystitis.

Recognizing what your neuropathy stems from is critical to you getting well. For some, it is due to a vitamin deficiency. For example, vitamin B12 or probiotics that help you to manufacture your own B12 in the gut. For others, it could be that wine you drink with dinner because wine is a potent drug mugger of B1 (thiamine) which protects your nerve coating. By a mile, the most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes.

Approximately half of all people with diabetes experience diabetic neuropathies, mainly in the hands and feet. Some doctors will tell you that maintaining healthy blood glucose will reverse neuropathy but that’s not true, we know from The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial that even intensive glucose control is insufficient to control the risk of diabetic neuropathy.

It’s tough love, but I need to say it: Uncontrolled neuropathy can cause a 25 percent higher cumulative risk of leg amputation. So, gaining control is important for your independence. I’ve written about natural supplements for neuropathy in the past (articles are archived at suzycohen.com), and you can have a free ebook “Spices that Heal” which offers more natural advice (get it by signing up for my email newsletter).

New research was published last March in Current Diabetes Reports. Scientists confirmed that targeting inflammatory cytokines can help relieve diabetic neuropathy. Oftentimes, that bad gateway called NF Kappa B (NFKB) opens its floodgates, and spits out proinflammatory cytokines such as COX-2 (Celebrex lowers this), nitric oxide synthase, lipoxygenase, TNF alpha and a lot of pain-causing interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8).

The researchers reported that something as simple as salicylate therapy could help reduce some of these cytokines as well as circulating glucose, triglycerides, C reactive protein and free fatty acids. When you think of salicylates, please understand this is a broad group of compounds found naturally in the plant kingdom. Salicylate is the main ingredient in aspirin and other analgesics, both prescribed and over-the-counter. Salicylates include spearmint, peppermint (even in mint toothpaste) and in muscle rubs. White willow bark is an herb that is morphed and turned into aspirin. They’re not right for everyone; so please ask your doctor about salicylates for neuropathy. Also ask if you can have a blood test to evaluate some of the proinflammatory markers I noted above.

Suzy Cohen can be reached at www.SuzyCohen.com

http://herald-review.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/dear-pharmacist-salicylates-may-be-key-to-easing-neuropathy/article_0549df7f-5c1b-5987-9900-f629df764099.html

Light Treament On The Brain To Reduce Nerve Pain

Today's interesting post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) looks at how a small area of the brain can be stimulated by directed light frequencies to control pain signals in the neurons. The difficulty lies in making sure that we still sense the pain signals that we need to sense (touching a hot surface, avoiding injury etc) and that not all pain signals are 'switched off' by the process. The ever-heroic lab mice are the current recipients of the research but hopefully it will eventually translate into something practical that humans can use. It would certainly be less invasive than many other treatments.

Optogenetic stimulation of the brain to control pain demonstrated in study 
Date: February 26, 2015 Source: University of Texas at Arlington 

Summary:

New research reveals for the first time how a small area of the brain can be optically stimulated to control pain. Researchers found that by using specific frequency of light to modulate a very small region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, they could considerably lessen pain in laboratory mice.

A new study by a University of Texas at Arlington physics team in collaboration with bioengineering and psychology researchers shows for the first time how a small area of the brain can be optically stimulated to control pain.

Samarendra Mohanty, an assistant professor of physics, leads the Biophysics and Physiology Lab in the UT Arlington College of Science. He is co-author on a paper published online Wednesday by the journal PLOS ONE.

Researchers found that by using specific frequency of light to modulate a very small region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, they could considerably lessen pain in laboratory mice. Existing electrode based ACC stimulation lacks specificity and leads to activation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons.

"Our results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that optogenetic stimulation of inhibitory neurons in ACC leads to decreased neuronal activity and a dramatic reduction of pain behavior," Mohanty said. "Moreover, we confirmed optical modulation of specific electrophysiological responses from different neuronal units in the thalamus part of the brain, in response to particular types of pain-stimuli."

The research focused on chemical irritants and mechanical pain, such as that experienced following a pinprick or pinch. Mohanty said the results could lead to increased understanding of pain pathways and strategies for managing chronic pain, which often leads to severe impairment of normal psychological and physical functions.

"While reducing the sensation for chronic pain by optical stimulation, we still want to sense certain types of pain because they tell us to move our hands or legs away from something that is too hot or that might otherwise hurt us if we get too close," Mohanty said.

Young-tae Kim, a UT Arlington associate professor of bioengineering and study co-author, said the research could "possibly lead to less invasive methods for treating more severe types of pain without losing important emotional, sensing and behavioral functions."

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by University of Texas at Arlington. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
Ling Gu, Megan L. Uhelski, Sanjay Anand, Mario Romero-Ortega, Young-tae Kim, Perry N. Fuchs, Samarendra K. Mohanty. Pain Inhibition by Optogenetic Activation of Specific Anterior Cingulate Cortical Neurons. PLOS ONE, 2015; 10 (2): e0117746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117746

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150226101656.htm

Are You Strong Enough To Change Your Diet To Reduce Your Pain

Today's challenging post from health.clevelandclinic.org (see link below) looks at what they call 'elimination diets' for reducing chronic inflammatory pain. Now given that neuropathy probably falls into this category, what are the chances that if you change your diet, your symptoms will improve? Promising, according to some and a waste of time, according to others but the biggest question is: can you change your diet in any of the ways described below? Think giving up smoking or drinking and you're pretty much appreciating the challenge here and remember...there are no guarantees that it will work. However, it is worth considering, even if you only half believe but always make a doctor's appointment first to check whether cutting out certain foodstuffs may actually harm you rather than help. The biggest advantage is that no chemical drugs are involved. Worth a read to get you thinking.

Should You Switch to an Elimination Diet to Fight Chronic Pain?
Pain management specialist answers 7 key questions April 14, 2016 / By Chronic Conditions Team

People rave about elimination diets for easing chronic pain, but do they work? Experts say, sometimes they do help. In many cases, it’s worth a visit to your doctor to see if an elimination diet could be right for you.

Pain management specialist Hong Shen, MD, suggests discussing an elimination diet with your doctor if you have:

Neck pain
Back pain
Fibromyalgia or any chronic pain condition
Complex regional pain syndrome (serious pain that develops and lingers after an injury)

Here, she answers common questions about how elimination diets work. 

1. How can an elimination diet relieve pain?

Inflammation is the root cause of chronic pain. Some foods are highly inflammatory, especially sugar, hydrogenated oil and highly processed food.

Many patients can develop sensitivity to gluten, dairy, corn and soy. Those foods can trigger your body’s immune response and cause pain, so eliminating the problematic foods can sometimes ease your pain.

2. What foods are usually eliminated?

The first foods Dr. Shen recommends that you eliminate include gluten, dairy, sugar, packaged foods and processed foods. If you’re still having pain, you may also need to eliminate corn, eggs, shellfish, beef, pork, coffee, tea and chocolate.

“Not everyone needs to eliminate all of these foods,” says Dr. Shen. “It just depends on what you’re eating on a regular basis.”

RELATED: 7 Simple Swaps That Will Transform Your Diet
 
3. How long should you eliminate these foods?

It depends on the type of problem you’re having.

If you’re on a strict elimination diet that includes avoiding all or most of the problematic foods, Dr. Shen recommends that you restrict them for between four and six weeks. If you’re on a diet that’s free of gluten, dairy or sugar, you can stay on it indefinitely.

RELATED: Gluten-Free Diets — The Straight Skinny
 
4. How do you determine which food is causing the problem?

“The elimination diet serves both diagnostic and treatment purposes,” Dr. Shen says. “I will have my patients eliminate certain foods for four to six weeks, or, ideally, eight weeks.”

After eight weeks, if all your symptoms resolve, you can start reintroducing one food at a time and try it for three days. Dr. Shen recommends eating a significant amount of the targeted food at least twice in those three days.

If you develop discomfort, stop the new food until the symptoms completely disappear again. Then reintroduce the food a second time. If the same symptoms reappear, you stop it again and reintroduce a different food.

“From this test, you can find which food gives you pain,” she says.

RELATED: New Dietary Guidelines Target Added Sugars, Healthy Eating Patterns
 
5. How effective are elimination diets?

According to Dr. Shen, 30 to 40 percent of patients put on elimination diets get better just from changing their diets alone. Sometimes the changes are gradual. Other times, they’re more dramatic.

“You can have headaches for your entire life, then be pain-free after four to six weeks on an elimination diet,” she says.

In one study, 246 fibromyalgia patients followed either a gluten-free or dairy-free diet.

“Many responded to treatment, although some quicker than others,” says Dr. Shen. “The results of the study were similar to the 30 to 40 percent success rate we see at Cleveland Clinic.”

How effective an elimination diet will be for you will depend on your condition. And everyone is different, so it also depends on how well your body responds.

6. Are elimination diets used along with other treatments?

Treating pain is often complicated, Dr. Shen says, so it must be addressed on an individual basis. Doctors sometimes recommend other treatments as well, including:

Pain medications
Mind-body medicine (using your mind to influence your body)
Guided imagery (a technique that focuses on mental images to help relieve pain)
Hypnosis
Meditation
Yoga
Reiki (a healing technique in which touch channels energy to activate the natural healing processes of your body)
Acupuncture
Chiropractic medicine
Massage
Herbal supplements
Addressing other nutritional issues (e.g., potential deficits)

7. Why should I see a doctor before beginning an elimination diet?

In some instances, eliminating certain foods affects treatments for other health conditions.

“If you’re on diabetic medications, blood pressure medications or blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin), you may need to have your medication adjusted, depending on what you’re eliminating,” Dr. Shen says.

If you have food sensitivities, even healthy foods may trigger symptoms. Treating chronic pain requires a multi-level approach. “It’s not just diet alone,” she says.

Stress reduction is also important, as is exercise and getting a good night’s sleep.

RELATED: 7 Health Foods That Can Ruin Your Diet

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/04/switch-elimination-diet-fight-chronic-pain/

HELPING OUTDOOR WORKERS REDUCE SKIN CANCER RISK

Skin cancer is one of the biggest fears for one in two outdoor workers and when the boss and staff work together the sun safe message gets through, a QUT study has found.

The study, which found more than 50 per cent of outdoor workers rated UV radiation exposure at work as one of their biggest concerns, also identified how a workplace intervention could improve workers' behaviours and attitudes towards sun protection to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

QUT in collaboration with Cancer Council Queensland and Curtin University worked with 14 Queensland outdoor workplaces from farming, construction, public service and local government industries to develop personalized sun protection action plans.

After adopting these individualized plans, the number of workers who reported using sun protection increased significantly.

Professor Michael Kimlin and Associate Professor Monika Janda, from QUT's AusSun Research Lab, led the intervention program and the results have been published in theJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine titled "Changes in Outdoor Workers' Sun-Related Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviours: A Pre-Post Workplace Intervention."

"The message is simple, outdoor workers who see their workplace, supervisors and bosses supporting sun protection measures will follow their lead," Professor Janda said.

"Providing better programs, which take into account the specific workplace tasks and culture can make a difference."

QUT health promotion specialist Dr Marguerite Sendall, who was involved at the grassroots level in implementing the workplace interventions, said the study worked closely with workplaces to develop and implement a tailored sun safety plan, encouraging sun awareness and supporting sun protection practices at work.

"The program was about working together in partnership with workplaces, taking into account their individual circumstances and environment, and developing realistic and sustainable strategies," Dr Sendall said.

"It was this partnership and customized strategies that made this study a success and led to significant improvements in the way workplaces and employees approached sun safety."

Dr Sendall said after the 12 months intervention, the results revealed when a workplace was sun safe there was a significant improvement in the attitudes and behaviours of outdoor workers when it came to sun protection.

"For example, the proportion of workers who checked their skin for early signs of skin cancer increased after the intervention program, with 80 per cent reporting they had conducted a skin check in the previous 12 months," Dr Sendall said.

"Ten per cent more workers also had their skin checked by a doctor.

"The study found after the intervention, 20 per cent more workers said they usually or always seek natural shade, 25 per cent more workers wore broad-brimmed hats, 19 per cent more wore long-sleeved collared shirts and 16 per cent wore long trousers," she said.

Dr Sendall said there was also a shift in outdoor worker attitudes.

"The proportion of workers who agreed their workplace enforced sun protection and agreed their supervisors protected themselves increased by 10 per cent to 76 per cent of all workers," she said.

One of the workplaces to take part in the study was Goondiwindi Regional Council and workplace champion Andrew Singh said the tailored intervention had produced tangible results.

"At our council, after introducing the intervention, the road construction crew adopted a number of sun safe initiatives," Mr Singh said.

"For example, the council provided portable shade structures to be used during breaks, vehicle windows were tinted and our staff swapped baseball-style caps for broad-brimmed hats.

"Overall, what we found was workers were keen to follow these sun safe measures as they saw their initiatives were welcomed and keenly supported by the mayor, councillors and management."

Dr Sendall said the study highlighted the importance of a consistent sun safe workplace culture.

"Despite ongoing public health campaigns, outdoor workers remain a difficult to reach group but if we can take care in making the sun protection program really relevant to their personal circumstances and work environment, the potential health benefits are significant."

Can Meditation Reduce Neuropathic Pain

We probably all believe deep down that the more relaxed we are, the better we are able to deal with pain. Or conversely, the more tense we are, the greater the pain will be. Common sense suggests then that relaxation techniques, based around meditation, will help reduce the levels of pain we feel. The problems with this theory are twofold: first we need to really believe in the effectiveness of meditation and secondly, our pain levels need to be low enough to be able to relax, without being anaesthetised because as I'm sure you all know, the concept of neuropathic pain and relaxation... is often a contradiction in terms! This article from Science Daily (see link below) discusses a study on the subject from the University of Manchester. Are you one of the patients who benefits from meditation? Let us know what you think.

Meditation Reduces the Emotional Impact of Pain, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (June 2, 2010)

People who meditate regularly find pain less unpleasant because their brains anticipate the pain less, a new study has found.

Scientists from The University of Manchester recruited individuals into the study who had a diverse range of experience with meditation, spanning anything from months to decades. It was only the more advanced meditators whose anticipation and experience of pain differed from non-meditators.

The type of meditation practised also varied across individuals, but all included 'mindfulness meditation' practices, such as those that form the basis of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), recommended for recurrent depression by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2004.

"Meditation is becoming increasingly popular as a way to treat chronic illness such as the pain caused by arthritis," said Dr Christopher Brown, who conducted the research. "Recently, a mental health charity called for meditation to be routinely available on the NHS to treat depression, which occurs in up to 50% of people with chronic pain. However, scientists have only just started to look into how meditation might reduce the emotional impact of pain."

The study, to be published in the journal Pain, found that particular areas of the brain were less active as meditators anticipated pain, as induced by a laser device. Those with longer meditation experience (up to 35 years) showed the least anticipation of the laser pain.

Dr Brown, who is based in the University's School of Translational Medicine, found that people who meditate also showed unusual activity during anticipation of pain in part of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region known to be involved in controlling attention and thought processes when potential threats are perceived.

He said: "The results of the study confirm how we suspected meditation might affect the brain. Meditation trains the brain to be more present-focused and therefore to spend less time anticipating future negative events. This may be why meditation is effective at reducing the recurrence of depression, which makes chronic pain considerably worse."

Dr Brown said the findings should encourage further research into how the brain is changed by meditation practice. He said: "Although we found that meditators anticipate pain less and find pain less unpleasant, it's not clear precisely how meditation changes brain function over time to produce these effects.

"However, the importance of developing new treatments for chronic pain is clear: 40% of people who suffer from chronic pain report inadequate management of their pain problem."

In the UK, more than 10 million adults consult their GP each year with arthritis and related conditions. The estimated annual direct cost of these conditions to health and social services is £5.7 billion.

Study co-author Professor Anthony Jones said: "One might argue that if a therapy works, then why should we care how it works? But it may be surprising to learn that the mechanisms of action of many current therapies are largely unknown, a fact that hinders the development of new treatments. Understanding how meditation works would help improve this method of treatment and help in the development of new therapies.

"There may also be some types of patient with chronic pain who benefit more from meditation-based therapies than others. If we can find out the mechanism of action of meditation for reducing pain, we may be able to screen patients in the future for deficiencies in that mechanism, allowing us to target the treatment to those people.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602091315.htm