New natural painkiller palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) reduces pain from herniated discs

16.08.2012 19:04

Palmitoylethanolamide is a natural, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory active ingredient with no significant side effects, and new clinical studies are currently being published almost every month. A group of researchers from various Spanish universities recently published a study on the pain-relieving effects of PEA for herniated discs.

Abstract/Summary:
Goal:
The effectiveness of N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in the treatment of neuropathic pain due to sciatica syndrome. Patients with neuropathic pain were treated with standard treatment plus PEA (600 mg/daily) for 30 days or with standard treatment without PEA for 30 days. The developments were monitored via “visual analog scale,” and the results were followed and evaluated via the Oswestry Disability Index and SF-12® Health Survey.
The average age of the 118 patients evaluated was 48.4 years; 47 individuals (40.9%) were female. In the group comparison, significantly greater improvements were visible in the PEA group on the “visual analogue scale” and in the “physical components of the SF-12 Health Survey.
Conclusion:
The addition of PEA to standard treatment shows a significant improvement in pain relief in patients with neuropathic pain due to sciatica.
PEA was well tolerated. Future research on the role of PEA in the treatment of neuropathic pain may help redefine the therapeutic strategy for this type of neuropathic pain.

Authors: Domínguez, C Morera; Martín, A Diaz; Ferrer, F Garibo; Puertas, MA Ibáñez; Muro, A Leal; González, JC Martí; Prieto, J Pombo; Taberna, I Rossello

Source: Pain Management, Volume 2, Number 2, March 2012, pp. 119-124(6)