Showing 67 results
A still image of Claudia Campbell during an interview
Video: Finding the Right Treatment for People With Knee Arthritis Pain
HEAL-funded researchers are comparing the effectiveness of different treatments and treatment combinations for knee osteoarthritis pain.
Published: February 28, 2025
Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN)
Strategies for Toning Down Nav1.7 graphic
Closing in on Nav1.7: A Promising Target for New Pain Treatments
Researchers hope that by turning off or toning down Nav1.7 activity, they can silence pain-sensing cells and thus relieve pain.
Published: February 18, 2025
Topics: Non-addictive Therapies, Small Business Programs
An image of sensory neurons
Unraveling Human Pain: New HEAL Research Expands Models for Testing Pain Treatments
NIH researchers are exploring several promising directions and developments to better support people living with pain
Published: December 9, 2024
Topics: Novel Targets
A preview image of the Sowa Video Spotlight
Video: Person-Centered Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
Researchers look for best ways to manage chronic low back pain based on people’s unique experience of pain
Published: October 9, 2024
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
A doctor and patient converse amicably
Research Snapshot: New Survey Enables Incorporation of Personal Preferences in Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain
HEAL researchers develop roadmap for personalized chronic pain treatments based on patient preferences
Published: July 15, 2024
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
Dr. Laura Simons
Finding a Signature for Chronic Pain Risk
HEAL SPRINT study aims to identify culprit factors that predict chronic pain in teens
Published: January 9, 2024
Topics: Pain Biomarkers
Dr. William Renthal talks about studying nerve cell molecules to find new pain treatments.
Video: What Makes Pain-Sensing Nerve Cells Unique?
A molecular inventory of pain-sensing nerve cells may lead to more targeted therapies
Published: November 7, 2023
Topics: Novel Targets
Best Trial Logo
Conquering Low Back Pain
Finding the Best Treatment for Individual Patients
Published: September 27, 2023
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
Attendees at a recent PURPOSE meeting
Building a Healing Community
Connecting Pain Scientists Through the PURPOSE Network
Published: August 1, 2023
Topics:
Stanley Ahalt, Ph.D., speaking to the camera
Video: Hearing Data Speak
The Power of the HEAL Data Ecosystem
Published: June 21, 2023
Topics:
older black woman hugging a younger black woman
Aging While Black: Could Family Support Protect Against Chronic Pain?
Exploring family support as a way to protect and manage chronic pain for older African Americans.
Published: May 25, 2023
Topics: Real-Time Opioid and Pain Management Data
health care provider holding a model of the knee joint
Targeted Research to Improve Joint Pain
The Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) Consortium
Published: May 18, 2023
Topics: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain
Richard Schottenfeld
Video: Better Together With the D.C. Dream Center
HEAL-funded researchers work together with D.C. communities hard-hit by the opioid crisis
Published: May 12, 2023
Topics: NIDA CTN
bandaged hand typing on keyboard showing carpal tunnel
Pain Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treating the brain with non-invasive stimulation
Published: April 26, 2023
Topics: Small Business Programs
Doctor talking to woman patient in a hospital bed
Ketamine to Reduce Chronic Post-Surgical Pain
Can a single dose of ketamine prevent chronic pain and depression after mastectomy?
Published: April 3, 2023
Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN)
Microgel spheres containing stem cells for injection into intervertebral discs.
Helping the Body Heal Itself: Injected Stem Cells for Back Pain
HEAL researchers are creating new tools in the toolbox in the quest to help patients with back pain. Learn about "microgels."
Published: March 23, 2023
Topics: Non-addictive Therapies
Screenshots from the SurgeryPal app
Preventing Chronic Post-Surgical Pain in Adolescents
Examining the Role of Pain Coping Skills
Published: February 28, 2023
Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN)
Dr. Allan Basbaum
Video: The Patient Perspective on Pain
Dr. Allan Basbaum explains why interacting with pain patients is important for basic scientists.
Published: February 2, 2023
Topics:
Deep brain stimulation delivers a mild electrical current through a thin wire to alter brain activity in the brain’s reward center (see red plus sign)
Deep Brain Stimulation for Severe Opioid Addiction
Can resetting brain circuits help people find recovery?
Published: November 15, 2022
Topics: Drug Development
Diverse group of people sitting in a circle talking
A Whole Health Approach for Treating Opioid Addiction and Mental Illness
Seeking sustainable models of integrated care
Published: October 27, 2022
Topics: Collaborative Care
image of man under a blanket
Lessons From the Field: Patient and Community Engagement
Successful approaches to research partnerships with patients and communities
Published: October 6, 2022
Topics: Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research
a mom and baby looks out a window
Embedding Opioid Use Disorder Prevention Into Everyday Life
HEAL prevention research targets systems for sustainability
Published: September 7, 2022
Topics: Adolescent Prevention
man wearing an exosuit to help with low back pain
A Wearable Device Helps Make Back Pain Bearable
“Artificial muscle” may help prevent back problems
Published: June 6, 2022
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
a group of people talking in group therapy
New IMPOWR Research Program Puts People First
Innovative research for people with chronic pain and risky opioid use or opioid use disorder
Published: February 7, 2022
Topics: IMPOWR and MIRHIQL
woman sitting in a chair looking at a laptop and wearing headphones
Finding New Options for Sickle Cell Disease Pain
New treatment options on the horizon for pain associated with sickle cell disease
Published: January 26, 2022
Topics: PRISM, Device Discovery
3D image of a “living circuit” in which DRG cells form long extensions toward SCDH cells.
A Living Pain Circuit
Tissue chip-based model screens potential pain medications faster
Published: December 10, 2021
Topics: New Drugs/Screening Tools
man lying in bed unable to sleep with his clock in the foreground
What’s Sleep Got to Do With It?
HEAL-funded researchers are investigating the role of sleep deficiency in opioid use disorder and relapse risk
Published: October 28, 2021
Topics: Sleep Dysfunction
A healthcare provider talks with a young adult patient
Taking Suicide Prevention into Primary Care Settings
HEAL-funded researchers develop tools for primary care providers to identify and help patients at risk of suicide
Published: September 28, 2021
Topics: Collaborative Care
Man hugging daughter while mom looks on
Living in Recovery: What Works?
NIH HEAL Initiative research aims to help people stay in recovery long-term
Published: September 28, 2021
Topics: RRN
collage pictures of HEAL early career investigators
Why They HEAL
Introducing early career investigators involved in the NIH HEAL Initiative
Published: September 14, 2021
Topics:
a hand turning over wooden blocks that spell out the words stigma
Reframing Shame
Everyone wins when we dismantle stigma
Published: August 2, 2021
Topics: Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder
woman lying on her side while a health care provider does physical therapy on her lower back
Can Treating Pain and Mood Together Improve Outcomes for People With Chronic Low Back Pain?
HEAL researchers combine antidepressants and physical therapy
Published: July 6, 2021
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
A collaborative meeting
What Is HEAL Doing to Improve Pain Management?
Published: June 1, 2021
Topics:
women experiencing chronic pain laying on couch
Protein Engineering for Chronic Pain
Turning tarantula venom into a non-opioid treatment for pain
Published: May 7, 2021
Topics: Non-addictive Therapies
Screen shot of PlaySmart home screen
PlaySmart
HEAL-funded research team is using the power of play to prevent opioid misuse in youth
Published: March 9, 2021
Topics: Adolescent Prevention
Person stretching and grabbing their feet
Phone-Based Pain Management Could be a Lifeline for Low-Income Patients
Helping vulnerable populations acquire treatment for low back pain
Published: February 23, 2021
Topics: PRISM, Advancing Health Equity
dental tools, pills, and a glass of water
Sealing the Deal
Using bone glue to treat pain from wisdom-tooth extractions
Published: February 9, 2021
Topics: Small Business Programs
A man receiving dialysis
HOPE for Managing Pain
Toward personalized care for people treated with dialysis
Published: January 28, 2021
Topics: Pain & Dialysis
addressing stigma
Breaking Through the Wall of Stigma
NIH HEAL research aims to address stigma among healthcare providers
Published: January 21, 2021
Topics: NIDA CTN, Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder
Collage of people
Patient Engagement in Pain and Addiction Research
Questions and answers with the HEAL Patient Engagement Working Group
Published: January 7, 2021
Topics: Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research
Virtual Reality
Using Virtual Reality to Treat Real Pain
Can immersive experiences provide relief by distracting patients from pain?
Published: December 22, 2020
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
woman sitting at a table working on a laptop computer
Stopping Opioid Misuse in its Tracks
Published: December 3, 2020
Topics: OUD Progression
Image of a Zoom screenshot of Narcan Training Team
Voices from the HEALing Communities Study
Community members are working to save lives from opioid-related overdoses
Published: October 18, 2020
Topics: HEALing Communities
Image of a morphine drip
Designing Alternatives to Morphine After Surgery
A small company is developing a new way to create a safe extended-release pain medication
Published: October 14, 2020
Topics: Small Business Programs
Photo of Picchione, Resnick and Signore in lab
Crafting a Cure for Diabetic Neuropathic Pain, Molecule by Molecule
A team of scientists at Knopp Biosciences LLC, is innovating treatments to manage neuropathic pain by aiming at its source — hyperactive nerve cells.
Published: October 14, 2020
Topics: Non-addictive Therapies
Image of hip sciatica pain for the orphan GPCR spotlight
Unlocking the Secrets of Nerve Pain
An NIH HEAL Initiative® research team is searching for new targets for non-addictive pain treatments
Published: October 5, 2020
Topics: Novel Targets
Heat map of inflammatory index
Can an inflammatory index predict sickle cell pain?
Published: September 22, 2020
Topics: Pain Biomarkers
image of how the opioid vaccine works
A Shot Against Opioids
Published: September 22, 2020
Topics: Drug Development
Natasha Slesnick
First, They Need a Place to Call HOME
Published: September 3, 2020
Topics: Adolescent Prevention
Patient Engagement
Fully Engaged: The Importance of Involving Patients in Research
The NIH HEAL Initiative wants to learn from examples of successful strategies used by researchers that meet patients where they are and invite them to join the research process. Email HEALquestion@od.nih.gov
Published: August 19, 2020
Topics: Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research
Human knee joint 3d model vector illustration. Low poly design future technology cure pain treatment. Blue background and red injury man body leg medicine drug capsule marketing banner template art.
The Search for New, More Targeted Pain Treatments
From surgery and drugs to cell-based therapies, researchers will test innovative, non-addictive approaches for treating pain.
Published: August 5, 2020
Topics: EPPIC-Net
MORE Mindfulness Graphic
Mindfulness: A MORE Effective Approach to Pain and Addiction
Project aims to improve pain relief while supporting treatment for opioid use disorder and long-term recovery.
Published: July 27, 2020
Topics: Behavioral Research
Illustration of woman sleeping
Is Lack of Sleep a Risk Factor for Relapse?
Studies in animals test the effects of sleep deficiency in opioid misuse and addiction.
Published: July 24, 2020
Topics: Sleep Dysfunction
Image of a promotional message for treatment for OUD.
Staying on the Road to Recovery
Testing medication-based treatment for opioid use disorder for the long-term.
Published: July 24, 2020
Topics: Medication Treatment
Illustration depicting the tissue chip system.
“Human-on-a-Chip” Models Effects of Opioid Overdose
With new technology, researchers can understand the effects of repeated overdoses and test new treatments.
Published: July 16, 2020
Topics: New Drugs/Screening Tools
Image of a nerve stimulator, a kind of electrode, being applied.
Nerve Stimulation Helps Manage Pain Without Opioids
Researchers develop a new type of injectable electrode for neuromodulation therapy.
Published: June 10, 2020
Topics: Device Discovery
Illustration of a device that stimulates the nerves and alleviates phantom limb pain.
Next-gen Device Could Relieve Phantom Limb Pain
Published: June 10, 2020
Topics: Device Discovery
Green and blue Illustration of neurons.
A New Pain-Suppression Center in the Brain
Scientists identified a group of neurons in mice that blunt pain within the brain. Such neurons could be promising targets for new non-addictive therapies for chronic pain.
Published: June 4, 2020
Topics: Novel Targets
Researcher manipulating a plastic replica of the spine.
Piecing Together the Puzzle of Chronic Low Back Pain
A computer model may be able to inspire new insights and treatments.
Published: June 2, 2020
Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program
A mother and her newborn baby boy are indoors in a hospital. The mother is holding her baby while laying in the hospital bed. Their doctor is smiling down at the baby.
Personalizing Pain Management for Women
NIH HEAL Initiative study aims to improve outcomes for mothers after cesarean deliveries.
Published: May 5, 2020
Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN)
A smiling woman next to the words, “First, I’ll teach you how pain is affected by — and how it affects — your actions, feelings, and thoughts.”
Prescribing a Website for Chronic Pain
Research funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative® is studying whether a web-based program can help people cope with chronic pain.
Published: April 17, 2020
Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN)
An animation of an African American man in a doctor’s office. He is holding his back and his facial expression shows he is in pain.
High Tech Simulations Aim to Reduce Disparities in Pain Care
An NIH HEAL Initiative® study is using a computer simulation program with virtual patients to help real doctors understand their biases when assessing their patients’ risk of opioid misuse.
Published: April 15, 2020
Topics: Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder, Advancing Health Equity
The NIH HEAL Initiative’s six research focus areas are grouped in two themes: enhancing pain management and improving treatment for opioid misuse and addiction. Learn more about the NIH HEAL Initiative’s research focus areas.
The Opioid Crisis: All Hands on Deck
The NIH HEAL Initiative® — a research effort led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths and improve how we understand and treat both pain and opioid addiction.
Published: April 6, 2020
Topics: Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder
Traditional pain scale from 0 to 100, visualized with cartoon faces
Searching for a Way to Predict Pain
Doctors can’t predict how much pain a person will feel after surgery, making tailored treatments difficult. One NIH HEAL Initiative researcher hopes to develop a blood test to predict how sensitive people will be to pain.
Published: March 31, 2020
Topics: Pain Biomarkers
a hand turning over wooden blocks that spell out the words stigma
Stigma: Overcoming a Barrier to Pain Treatment and Addiction Recovery
HEAL challenged researchers to consider stigma when planning ways to address the opioid crisis.
Published: March 10, 2020
Topics: Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder