A long-awaited class of pain relievers could become available soon. One in five adults in the U.S. suffers from chronic pain, and many more people endure temporary, acute pain. Over-the-counter medications can’t provide enough relief, and opioids have dangerous side effects. The new drugs, one of which has made it through several stages of clinical trials, block sodium channels in nerves, dampening pain signals before they reach the brain. Health writer Marla Broadfoot discusses this approach and what it could mean for people in pain.