Since we send a lot of space here discussing ways that pain effect our bodies and our lives. I thought it was time to start the attempt to define the nature of pain.
Pain may be defined as "an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage" . 
There have been some comments about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin. Here are the results from some of the best studies that have been done to date that we have looked at.
Interest in glucosamine and chondroitin is so great that the National Institutes of Health recently conducted a large-scale study of the supplements for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. More than 1,500 osteoarthritis sufferers at 16 rheumatology centers across the United States participated in the study over a 24-week period. Scientists gave research subjects five different treatment options including glucosamine only, chondroitin only, and a combination of both.
A study published in the April 23, 2001 issue of the American Medical Association journal Archives of Internal Medicine shows that massage may be one of the best options for treating chronic back pain and because there are no side affects. Massage should now be considered as the first option
Three out of four people who had massage therapy in the study showed benefit and a significant pain relief - surprisingly a much higher success rate than might be expected from traditional medical therapy or medication.
For those who are dissatisfied with the traditional medical treatments and are seeking an alternative route to find pain relief, the study at last provides scientific evidence that in most cases massage can be useful for people with chronic back pain and that it is certainly something that anyone with chronic back pain should consider trying.
Finally, medical science has learned what women have known all along: Heat is one of the best treatments for menstrual cramps.
Be it hot water bottle, comfort pack or curling up next to your cat, women knew putting something warm on their aching tummy would ease the cramping pain that can last up to three days each month.
Now, a new study has proven not only that women are right; it’s also shown heat may ease stomach cramp pain longer than ibuprofen. The best heat pack for stomache and menstraul cramps is one that can stay in place while siting and moving.
"We always knew, anecdotally, that heat helped, but now we have evidence that it may actually have some advantages over and above medication, …
Nurses and others with physically demanding jobs who are in pain from an acute lower back injury can get significant relief from a heat wrap worn over the lower back, Johns Hopkins researchers said.
Continuous low-level heat therapy should be considered as an adjunct or even an alternative to pharmacological management of acute lower back pain, said Edward J. Bernacki, M.D., M.P.H., of Johns Hopkins. He called the relief dramatic.
Relief from pain was improved more than 50 percent for the heat-therapy group
A research program using 371 patients, compared the use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen ( as used in Excedrin / Tylenol) to therapy with standard heat wraps. Over a six month period this study found that low heat applied to the back worked better than the maximun recommended dose of these common over the counter medicences. They also discovered that the effects of the heat wraps were maintain for up to 48 hours after the heat was applied.
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