For chronic pain sufferers, this might be the earliest beginning of the ultimate end for unrelenting pain. Columbia University researchers have been studying how pain works at the molecular and cellular level and discovered a key enzyme that cause nerve cells to send pain messages through the central nervous system even when there is no physical pain being experienced. So although you might not actually be in physical pain any longer, if your brain is being told there is still pain, you will experience the reality of pain.

Because of this find, researchers are hoping a drug can be developed that will shut down the messengers and the message.

Researcher Richard Ambron is quoted as saying that pain is not necessary. I could not agree more and have been an advocate for quality of life issues for long-term cancer survivors who must endure chronic pain without effective relief.

Just like Ambron, I do not think it is necessary that people put up with or suffer silently in pain either, and because the current methods of treatment can lead to additional health problems, this type of research is most welcome -- and long past due.

Chronic pain is physically debilitating and emotionally draining. Cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors often have issues with chronic pain. Many doctors seem uncomfortable dealing effectively with alleviating pain, as the most effective methods of lessening pain include narcotics. So, cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors are left to find ways to help themselves live a more pain-free life.

In a recent research study conducted at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, demonstrated that people suffering from chronic pain who listened to relaxing music had up to a 21 percent reduction in the level of pain they were experiencing, and a 25 percent reduction in depression. Dr. Sandra Siedlecki was quoted as saying that pain remains a major health problem and sufferers continue to report high levels of unrelieved pain despite using medication and anything that can provide relief is welcomed. As for music therapy, many researchers hold that the perception of pain is a complex phenomenon and is influenced by factors such as emotion, experience and mood, and that the benefit music therapy provides is short term in managing chronic pain. But, as Dr. Siedlecki said, any relief is welcome. And as I said, chronic pain sufferers in this country are unfortunately left to their own devices when it comes to finding pain relief. No one can argue that music has a profound effect on emotion and can alter mood depending on the music being played. I think many of us use music as therapy for a number of reasons, including pain relief, without realizing we are doing it.