Wondering what’s new in the world of pain management medicine? Every issue of Pain Solutions magazine has a section called RxWatch where we aggregate the most useful and newsworthy pain treatment research.

Here is a sampling of what RxWatch uncovers. For more pain management news and tips, look for the Fall 2010 issue of Pain Solutions magazine to hit newsstands in early November.

In April the Food and Drug Administration approved a new version of OxyContin specifically designed to prevent overdose or abuse. OxyContin is ideal for people who need moderate to severe pain relief for an extended period of time because of its controlled-release properties. The new version is formulated to resist cutting, dissolving or otherwise tampering with the medication.

The antidepressant Cymbalta may be effective in treating low back pain, according to a February study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Participants who took 60 milligrams of the drug daily reported significantly less back pain than those who took a placebo.

Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit may have found a new treatment for osteoarthritis pain and inflammation: Patients who wrapped their knee in a portable device that sends out electromagnetic pulses for 15 minutes twice a day felt 40 percent less pain.

Patients who suffer from migraines accompanied by the numbness and tingling effect known as aura may be able to treat themselves at home using a handheld device, according to a study published in the April edition of the Lancet Neurology. The device, which can already be found in some doctors’ offices, produces magnetic stimulation and brought lasting migraine relief to 39 percent of patients who participated in the study.

Researched by Allie Nicodemo