289 | id == 289
289 | category_id == 19
289 | category_order == 16
289 | category_name == Pain
289 | category_color == #C47AC0
289 | slug == SCN9A-pain-sensitivity
289 | title == A Double-Edged Sword in Pain Sensitivity (SCN9A)
289 | meta_description == The SCN9A gene encodes a crucial protein for pain signaling. Click to learn how variants in this gene impact pain sensitivity.
289 | summary == <p><strong>Some people are extremely sensitive to pain, while others can&rsquo;t feel it at all &mdash; depending on their <em>SCN9A</em> gene. Read on to learn more about the role of this gene in pain sensitivity and check your variants!</strong></p>
289 | overall_score_text == Your Pain Sensitivity Score (Based on SCN9A Gene)
289 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/SCN9A--Pain-Pain-Sensitivity.jpg
289 | author_id == 9
289 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
289 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
289 | author_order == 45
289 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
289 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
289 | reviewer == None
289 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
289 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
289 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
289 | publish_date == 2020
289 | publish_date == 8
289 | publish_date == 27
289 | avg_rating == 5.0
289 | tags_id == 646
289 | tags_name == Acupuncture
289 | tags_id == 303
289 | tags_name == Cold exposure
289 | tags_id == 647
289 | tags_name == Menthol
289 | tags_id == 645
289 | tags_name == NaV1.7 channel
289 | tags_id == 224
289 | tags_name == Nervous System
289 | tags_id == 601
289 | tags_name == Pain Sensitivity
289 | tags_id == 603
289 | tags_name == Postoperative Pain
289 | tags_id == 644
289 | tags_name == SCN9A gene
289 | permissions_favorite == False
289 | permissions_rate == False
289 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have persistent or unexplained pain, it is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor. The information in this post is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be used to replace standard medical care.</span></em></p> <h2><strong>The <em>SCN9A</em> Gene in Pain Perception</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="../../../gene/scn9a/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SCN9A</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes one part of a sodium channel, </span><strong>NaV1.7</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, in pain-signaling neurons. Mutations in this gene are responsible for various disorders in pain perception: from chronic pain syndromes to complete inability to feel pain [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15302875"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16702558/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17167479/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most local anesthetics target the NaV1.7 channel; scientists are also developing painkillers with this mechanism of action, but their success has been limited [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30649227/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28266963/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4950419/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The <em>SCN9A</em> gene encodes a sodium channel involved in pain signaling and different pain disorders.</span></p> <h3><strong>The Link Between <em>SCN9A</em> Variants and Pain Sensitivity</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with one SNP in the SCN9A gene, </span><a href="../../../snp/rs6746030/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs6746030</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, may be more sensitive to different pain types from [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29106681/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841869/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21031562/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23102778/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joint dislocation</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nerve damage</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pancreas and bladder inflammation</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surgery and more</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, one meta-analysis found no link between this variant and chronic widespread pain. The authors suggested that rs6746030 may be associated with pain sensitivity rather than the presence of pain [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502104/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. More precisely, the "A" allele may increase NaV1.7 channels' activity and thus enhance pain signaling [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841869/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SCN9A</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> variants, such as </span><a href="../../../snp/rs13017637/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs13017637</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="../../../snp/rs4426541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs4426541</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, correlate with pain sensitivity but to a lesser extent [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26168879/">R</a>]. This gene may also play a role in fibromyalgia (widespread pain in muscles and joints) and postoperative pain [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310736/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26752484/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The "A" allele at rs6746030 has shown a robust association with sensitivity to different pain types. Other variants in the SCN9A gene may correlate with pain sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and postoperative pain.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Your <em>SCN9A</em> Results for Pain Sensitivity</strong></h2> <p>*4021462548975385*</p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary</strong></h3> <p><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>SCN9A</em></strong> <a href="../../../snp/rs6746030/"><strong>rs6746030</strong></a></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = not associated with pain sensitivity</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = associated with increased pain sensitivity</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Important SNPs:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>SCN9A</em></strong> <a href="../../../snp/rs13017637/"><strong>rs13017637</strong></a></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = associated with reduced pain sensitivity</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = not associated with pain sensitivity</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>SCN9A</em></strong> <a href="../../../snp/rs4426541/"><strong>rs4426541</strong></a></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = not associated with pain sensitivity</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = associated with increased pain sensitivity</span></li> </ul> <p>*2078729353048012*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Relieve Pain</strong></h2> <p><strong><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Remember that none of them should be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></strong></p> <p>*6833842930074256*</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Cold Application</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pain disorders due to overactive NaV1.7 channels can cause extreme burning pain in different parts of the body. Patients usually immerse affected body parts into ice-cold water to ease the pain [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589109/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121769/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. A 2015 study confirmed the ability of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/12-reasons-embrace-cold/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cold exposure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to reduce the activity of NaV1.7 channels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25285947/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cold application or cryotherapy (e.g., ice packs) is commonly used to reduce swelling and pain after traumatic injuries. It may also help reduce the pain and need for opioid medication after surgical procedures such as knee replacement and jaw or cruciate ligament reconstruction [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21505324/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3781860/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22972114/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22626630/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15915833/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Immersion in cold water is moderately effective in preventing and recovering muscle soreness after </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4802003/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586380/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Folks have used cold therapy in the treatment of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/natural-treatment-migraines/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">migraines</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for over 150 years. Different devices applying cold to the head and neck have shown promising results in several clinical trials [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3941818/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3243707/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2584002/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11975819/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1697736/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727573/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cold application is a potent natural pain remedy. It may work exceptionally well for people with overactive Nav1.7 channels.</span></p> <h4><strong>Electroacupuncture</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During <a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/acupuncture-benefits-mechanisms-risks/">acupuncture</a>, thin metal needles are inserted at acupuncture points, or acupoints [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458928/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22106073"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Some practitioners suggest that electrical stimulation of the needles&mdash;known as electroacupuncture&mdash;can yield better results [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20818865"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In multiple animal studies, electroacupuncture reduced pain by blocking NaV1.7 channels and reducing their levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29343477/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278366/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278366/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Acupuncture may be effective at pain management without the side effects of painkillers. It may even help patients wean off from opiate drugs [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27475042"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296192/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Chronic pain management is among the most common uses of acupuncture [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036643/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A clinical review has confirmed the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for different pain types and gave it an advantage over classical acupuncture [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9646895/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Electroacupuncture may reduce different types of pain by blocking NaV1.7 channels and reducing their levels.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Peppermint Oil/Menthol</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Menthol is an age-old ingredient in countless topical painkillers. It produces cooling sensation by activating the TRPM8 receptors, but it can also reduce pain by blocking different sodium channels, including NaV1.7 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22172548/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22951274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One review yielded 31 reports supporting the use of topical menthol for pain relief [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29524352/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Menthol is the active ingredient of <a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/peppermint-oil-benefits-uses-side-effects/">peppermint oil</a>, which successfully relieved headaches in two clinical trials of 73 people [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7954745/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8805113/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Rubbing a 10% peppermint oil solution is one of the standard treatments for tension headaches in Europe [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27106030/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Topical menthol or peppermint oil are time-tested natural painkillers. They reduce pain in part by blocking the NaV1.7 channels.</span></p>
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289 | content_learn_more_2078729353048012_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your SCN9A gene is associated with slightly higher pain sensitivity. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall pain sensitivity, just one gene related to it. Apply cold and use topical menthol to reduce pain sensitivity. Keep reading to learn more.
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289 | content_recommendation_6833842930074256_blur == True
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rsIDs = rs6746030,rs13017637,rs4426541
rsStatus = rs6746030,SCN9A,chr2,166242648,A,C,G,,15,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs13017637,SCN9A,chr2,166303436,C,T,,,17,13,HET
rsStatus = rs4426541,SCN9A,chr2,166264446,A,G,,,3,28,HET
