About the Center
The Center for Musculoskeletal Pain Research
is dedicated to the study of mechanisms responsible for musculoskeletal pain; but we are also focused on patient care. Several of our faculty members evaluate and treat patients with Musculoskeletal Pain related to:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, and other Chronic Pain Conditions such as Back or Neck Pain.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, and other Chronic Pain Conditions such as Back or Neck Pain.
Our main focus, however, is the study of pain mechanisms responsible for chronic pain states. Clinical trials are conducted in our Research Center and in the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) of our CTSI at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Our Research Center is located at the Health Science Center (see map of the University of Florida.)
UF Pain Research in the News
On May 7th, 2011 Dr. Staud presented new research findings on some of the fundamental abnormalities associated with chronic pain and fibromyalgia (FM). He shared new evidence that provides insight into central nervous system mechanisms that contribute to pain, fatigue, and mood abnormalities in FM. Evidence shows that the pain processing abnormalities of FM patients are relative and not absolute. Dr. Staud discussed how these abnormalities can be detected in FM patients and how they can be reversed. If you would like more information about this meeting, please contact us at painresearch@medicine.u
fl.edu or contact us at 352-265-8901.
Pain Relief from Skin-Vibrations
Chronic pain is one of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). However, the mechanisms of this pain is only partially understood. What is known is that pain intensity is actively regulated in man, but there are many studies showing abnormal pain modulation in FM. FM patients don't seem to be able to down-regulate acute pain as well as normal controls. We wanted to know whether painless vibration to the skin would result in reduction of experimental pain in FM compared to normal controls. Results: FM patients down-regulated the pain from experimental heat stimuli effectively (44%) and as well as normal controls Therefore vibration or a similar form of pain control - TENS, may provide some pain relief in FM.
For more information please contact us at painresearch@medicine.ufl.edu
.
Fred Wolfe, a long-time FM researcher is currently proposing new FM Criteria to be used in clinical practice. These new criteria will eliminate tender point counts and will focus instead on a) FM Symptoms Severity and b) How Wide-Spread FM Pain is. In brief, these criteria will require only self reported items and won't use any complex tests. These new FM Criteria will generate a lot of discussion. For more information, please click on the title to read more about this new development. You will also find a detailed description of these FM Criteria.
More information on our Clinical Pain Research at the University of Florida
The Musculoskeletal Research Center conducts trials on the effectiveness of FM medications. For more information, contact us at 352-265-8901
Fibromyalgia Books
For information on Dr. Staud's books and more information
about Fibromyalgia. His books have sold more than 60,000 copies!