Stanford Pain Medicine

08/06/2026

Not every condition is life-threatening. But that doesn't mean it isn't life-changing.

08/05/2026

“With opioid tapering, people often worry about having more pain and not having treatment for it."

That's the challenge Stanford Medicine researcher Dr. Beth Darnall set out to address.

For years, many people living with chronic pain experienced rapid or involuntary opioid tapers that left them feeling unheard and, in some cases, worse off. In a new study, Darnall and colleagues tested a different approach: a slow, personalized taper that patients controlled in partnership with their clinicians.
The results suggest that when people are given time, choice, and support, many can reduce long-term opioid use without increased pain.

Read more about the research.

A new Stanford Medicine-led study found that with a gradual, personalized approach, about half of chronic pain patients significantly cut their opioid use over one year.

07/31/2026

Neck pain after a car accident is only part of the story.

Whiplash can affect muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, and the nervous system, leading to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, tingling, fatigue, poor sleep, and brain fog. While most people recover within the first few months, recovery looks different for everyone, and some people continue to experience symptoms long after the initial injury.

Join us for our next Pain Science Lecture Series on Monday, August 3, at 5:30 PM PST, where physical therapist and researcher Joel Fundaun, DPT, PhD, will explain what happens during a whiplash injury, why recovery varies from person to person, and what current research tells us about treatment and recovery.

Join the event for free: https://bit.ly/40xpb2c

07/30/2026

Effective chronic pain care often requires a multidisciplinary approach. The “4 Ps” framework offers a simple way to remember the core components:

•Physical therapy
•Pharmacology
•Procedures
•Psychological support

Integrating all four can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes.

07/29/2026

Sleep is not just a victim of chronic pain—it is often a driver of it. Learn how sleep and pain are connected, why improving sleep can help reduce pain, and practical strategies backed by research.

Story by Alexis Nash | Medically reviewed by Drs. Heather King and Kristen MacKenzie

07/23/2026

Access to evidence-based pain care remains out of reach for many people living with chronic pain.

Researchers led by Dr. Holly Watson found that Empowered Relief®, when delivered virtually by certified registered nurses and advanced practice nurses, significantly improved multiple pain-related outcomes compared with a wait-list control group.

In this video, Dr. Beth Darnall shares what the findings could mean for expanding access to behavioral pain treatment.

Read the open access paper: https://bit.ly/45j4KHY

07/22/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about chronic pain is that pain always means you should stop moving.

While rest is important after an injury, chronic pain is different. Research suggests that appropriately tailored movement can improve strength, endurance, mobility, sleep, and quality of life.

You don't have to start with a workout. A short walk, stretching, gardening, or playing with your kids can all be meaningful ways to move.

For many people, success isn't measured by a lower pain score. It's measured by getting back to the things that make life meaningful.

07/21/2026

"What gave you joy before pain?"

Dr. Sean Mackey explains why this question is at the heart of chronic pain care. While pain isn't always something that can be cured, the goal is to help people regain function, restore independence, and get back to the activities that make life meaningful.

07/21/2026

For many people with chronic pain, movement feels more sustainable when it is connected to a meaningful daily activity rather than exercise for its own sake. Examples include:

-Walking around the block with a spouse or friend
-Carrying groceries more comfortably
-Gardening, traveling, or playing with grandchildren
-Returning to a favorite hobby or sport

One approach is to start with a specific, realistic goal and break it into smaller steps over time. Tracking progress can help make goals more measurable and achievable.

Research suggests that exercise can help people with chronic pain improve strength, mobility, sleep, and daily function. While movement may not eliminate pain, it can help many people do more of the activities that matter most to them

07/17/2026

"The overall trend is briefer, technology-assisted, and personalized feedback," says Stanford's Dr. Beth Darnall, commenting on two new randomized trials examining shorter, more scalable cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) models for chronic pain.
Read the article: https://wb.md/4gK2ctI

Two randomized clinical trials suggest that brief, virtual, and self-directed CBT models can reduce pain interference and expand access to evidence-based chronic pain care.