In what could be a breakthrough moment for those living with chronic pain, reachers from the University of Oxford have a new understanding of the mechanisms that cause chronic pain

In a study published in BMJ Journals, estimated that chronic pain affects between one-third and a half of the UK population, approximately just under 28 million adults – and that figure is likely to rise in line with the ageing population.

But now, a new study from the University of Oxford has made a discovery that could lead to the development of new treatments for chronic pain.

The researchers started from the understanding that repeated stimulation – for example, a sharp pin prick – can lead to a heightened sensitivity to pain. This is a process called ‘pain wind-up’, and it contributes to clinical pain disorders.

From here, the researchers compared genetic variation in samples from more than 1,000 participants in Colombia, and used these to see whether there were any genetic variants more common in people who experienced greater ‘pain wind-up’. What they found was a significant difference in the variants of one specific gene, NCX3.

The next phase was a series of experiments in mice, which sought to understand how this gene regulates ‘pain wind-up’, and whether it could be a treatment target.

“This is the first time that we have been able to study pain in humans and then to directly demonstrate the mechanism behind it in mice, which provides us with a really broad understanding of the factors involved and how we can begin developing new treatments for it,” says Professor Bennett, professor of neurology and neurobiology of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience.

“Chronic pain is a global problem, and can be immensely debilitating. We carried out the study in Colombia because of the mixed ancestry of the population there, including Native Indian, African and European populations, which gave us a broad range of genetic diversity to look at. This makes these findings so exciting because of their potential international applications.

“The findings imply that any drugs which can increase activity of NCX3 would be predicted to reduce pain sensitisation in humans.’

Of course, chronic pain affects more than just our physical health, and a study published in the Symposium on Pain Medicine uncovered a bidirectional relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders. Chronic pain can trigger anxiety, depression, and stress. Furthermore, many can feel isolated by their pain, either because they are not able to be as active as they once were, or because of the social barriers that prevent others from empathising with their experiences.

While pain medication and holistic care currently go some way to support those with chronic pain, this discovery will bring hope to many looking for more answers.

Need support? Connect with a professional using counselling-directory.org.uk

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It's that time of year again and in the lead-up to the final weeks of exam season, students have been tackling their revision in a rather unconventional way

Thousands of students will sit their A-Level and GCSE exams in the next few weeks before school’s out for summer, but with so much information to take in, this can be a particularly stressful time. MyTutor, a leading online tutoring platform, is determined to make it a little easier for students by creating a free resource designed to make revision more memorable and engaging, using TikTok.

Their study reveals that 59% of students in the UK use social media to aid their studies, with 27% using it as a “go-to” learning source. 30% of pupils use online platforms like YouTube to consolidate their learning, suggesting that traditional study techniques may no longer be the best way to retain information.

The pandemic has brought about this shift in learning behaviour as classroom-based studies have moved online. As such, social media has now become an invaluable tool for students across the country, with a focus on more self-directed learning. Platforms such as TikTok give communities of pupils access to channel their learning and process information in an easily digestible way using hashtags like #StudyTok.

This prompted MyTutor to create the “TikTok Textbook”, aimed at bringing learning materials online. It includes bite-sized videos that break down some of the hardest GCSE and A-Level questions from exam boards OCR and AQA. Since its launch, it has already generated 1.8 million views on its expert revision tips and emotional well-being advice.

"As university students, our tutors have recent experience of sitting their exams and through the TikTok Textbook they will also be offering expert revision tips, as well as advice for students to prioritise their emotional well-being during these high-pressure times." Bertie Hubbard, CEO of MyTutor.

So, if your children are struggling to understand radioactive half-lives or they want to perfect their French grammar, taking to social media could be the way forward.

Stress is a natural emotion, but if you are concerned about a child or teen’s stress levels or mental health, there are techniques you can implement to help children deal with exam nerves.

How can I help my child during exam season?

Keep things in perspective

It’s important that children have a parent or guardian they can speak to openly and honestly. Let them know that you are there to help and talk if they need anything.

Maintain good habits

Encourage your children to eat a balanced diet, exercise, get a good sleep and have downtime to keep their bodies and minds healthy while studying.

Try to avoid additional pressure

Checking in on your children may seem like a good idea, but it can make children feel more pressured or less confident. Instead, try to take a step back and offer support whilst avoiding criticism.

For more tips on how to support your children during exams, read our article 5 ways to help kids with stress.

Sometimes, it may be beneficial to try alternative methods to control exam stress. Hypnotherapy is a method commonly used to control exam

The anniversary of a traumatic event can bring up feelings you experienced at the time, even years later. Learn more about these ‘anniversary reactions’ and ways that you can cope

The images of Grenfell Tower engulfed in flames will forever be etched in our nation’s memory. Half a decade on from the horrific fire, our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones, the survivors, and the wider Grenfell community.

This kind of anniversary - one resulting from a traumatic event, be it a national or worldwide disaster, or an individual loss - can reactivate many thoughts and feelings from the time, creating a kind of ‘anniversary effect’. You may be more likely to remember events clearly and feel emotions more intensely than usual.

Here, we’ll explore what the anniversary effect is in relation to trauma and grief, and how to cope around the time of a traumatic anniversary.

What is the ‘anniversary effect’?

The ‘anniversary effect’ is felt on or around a date that marks a significant event. It might be the date a loved one died or their birthday, or the day an assault or accident happened. As that date nears, memories can start to resurface, and it can feel like you’re experiencing the annual echo of a trauma.

Although being reminded of difficult feelings around an anniversary is a common and normal part of the grieving process, it can be distressing. Anniversary reactions can also signal that you’re not yet over the trauma of your experience and may need to process or work through your grief. As a result, some researchers feel that this anniversary reaction should be listed as a symptom of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

In this video, trauma specialist Greg James explains more about trauma, including how we process trauma, what is considered a traumatic event, the differences between trauma and PTSD and what support is available.

If you have a difficult date approaching, here are some techniques to help you deal with the anniversary effect.

Plan ahead

Take time to think about the months ahead and note any dates that have painful memories attached to them. Remind yourself that the days or weeks leading up to these dates could be tough for you.

Particularly if you’ve experienced an anniversary reaction before and feel you might be vulnerable again, let supportive friends and family members know so they can be there for you.

Reduce your media consumption

As well as being mindful of your own anniversaries, it can be helpful to be aware of any public traumas, such as terrorist events or natural disasters that will receive mass media coverage.

It’s likely that, during these times, there will be an increase in imagery and stories of the event that you may find distressing, and which could trigger your own personal memories. It could be helpful to try to limit how much news you consume online or on the TV around these times.

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