2006 Philadelphia Triumph Dinner Shines a Light of Hope for People Living with Pain
More than 300 guests including leading pain experts from all over the country attended the 2006 Philadelphia Triumph Dinner at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on Thursday, October 19, 2006. The dinner raised funds in support of the NPF's mission and work on behalf of 75 million Americans living with chronic pain. Click here to learn more about the award honorees and to see photos from the event.

Using Biofeedback to Help with Chronic Pain
Biofeedback is an integrative therapy based on the mind-body connection. It involves both your mental health and physical health. Basically, biofeedback helps your mind listen to your body so that you can use your mind to change what your body experiences. It seems a little strange that you need to teach your brain to listen to your body, but learning how to interpret your body's signals can help you lessen your pain. Read more about biofeedback.

Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
By Tom Stewart, J.D., M.S., PA-C
Disability is a scary topic. It is nevertheless an important one. It is important for everyone because unforeseeable accidents and other diseases may occur. The consequences of unemployment related to disability are numerous, and may include loss of income, lack of health care benefits, loss of professional identity, social isolation, and increased focus on pain and impairments. Read more about SSDI.

Important Alert — 11 Million Bottles of Acetaminophen Caplets Recalled
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Perrigo Co., Allegan, Mich, is voluntarily recalling 383 lots of acetaminophen 500 mg caplets manufactured and distributed under various store brands because small metal fragments were found in a small number of these caplets. Click here to learn about which lots and brands are affected.

New Medication for Cancer Breakthrough Pain
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet), manufactured by Cephalon, for the management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Read more about Fentora and breakthrough pain.

New Education Materials for Patients and Health Care Providers
Reports of overdoses and deaths associated with methadone have been in the news lately and cause people to question the safety of using methadone to treat chronic pain. Read more about methadone and patient safety.

Wellness and the Buzz about General Metabolic Syndrome (GMS)
By Michael Loes, MD
There is hardly a journal that crosses my desk that does not discuss GMS, mainly because this is the new concept that physicians are now examining. Doctors are able to identify GMS early if they are actively looking for it, and perhaps in doing so, warn you to wake up and change. What you need to understand is that if you have GMS, you are at risk for a whole gamut of degenerative diseases that cause pain. Read more about GMS.