On the Way to Zero—Insights into Healing
by Sterling
As a person who's lived with chronic pain since 1997, Sterling has an interesting perspective as she explores numerous aspects of healing using a creative approach to navigate the "choppy" waters from Pain Level 10 to zero. Visit My Support and experience how Sterling is working her way to zero.

Treating Generalized Vulvar Dysesthesia
By Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, MD
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar itching, burning, and pain that causes physical, sexual, and psychological distress. New data suggests that as many as 16% of women experience chronic vulvar symptoms over the course of their lives. This article provides a comprehensive look at how vulvodynia occurs and how it is diagnosed and treated. Click here to read more about the options available for managing vulvodynia.

Pain in the News
This month is National Pain Awareness Month and is a great opportunity to increase awareness in your community. Click here to read the latest about this national effort, learn about a new document designed to ease doctors' fears about prescribing opioids and more.

Book Review
By Sherry Shaw
More than 70,000 Americans have sickle cell disease, which afflicts individuals of almost every ethnic background and causes extreme pain and other physiological complications. NPF member Sherry Shaw reviews Hope and Destiny: The Patient's and Parent's Guide to Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait, a book that provides insight and helpful suggestions for coping with this disease.

Transcending Your Pain—What is Spiritual Healing?
By Richard Stieg, MD, MHS
With the scientific revolution of the 20th century, medicine took a significant departure in the understanding of healing and began insisting on vigorous scientific study for all things. This revolution created a focus on science to the exclusion of all other dimensions of medicine and humanity. Click here to read more about how and why the relationship between the body and the mind and soul was often deemed unworthy of medical attention and what you can do to care for all aspects of you.

Bones and Wellness
By Michael Loes, MD
America is facing an epidemic of broken bones and early disability, which often results in chronic pain. One in three Americans age 65 and older will develop osteoporosis or osteopenia. Solving this problem goes beyond taking a calcium supplement. Read more about what you can do to improve your bone health.

What's New Index
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