4.2 Pain Flashcards
What is pain?
A sensation or emotion felt in severe discomfort
What does the biomedical pain theory describe?
Physical damage is the only cause of pain and explains all pain felt
Why does the biomedical pain theory come under criticisms?
Some people still have pain after tissue damage has healed
Some people report pain without tissue damage
Phantom limb pain
Placebo effect
Variation in pain felt to similar injuries
What is acute pain?
Short term pain to attract attention to tissue damage, pain will last as long as healing process
What is chronic pain?
Pain that is long term and serves no purpose. Prolonged rest is not helpful
How can pain be assessed?
Self-report
Measure effect of pain on other areas of life
Face scale/ 1-10
What is the Gate Control Theory?
The amount of pain felt is equivalent to the amount of which the ‘gate’ through which pain fibres flow is open.
List some factors which would open the pain ‘gate’
Under active Negative emotions Injury Stress Tension Negative beliefs
List some factors which would close the pain ‘gate’
Medication Exercise Positive emotions Positive beliefs Distractions
What psychological factors may add to feeling pain?
Anxiety
Fear
Stress
Catastophising
What limitations are there of the Gate Control Theory?
No physical gate structure found
Sees physical and psychological processes as separate
What are the main aims of Pain Management Programmes?
Improve quality of life of those suffering from chronic pain Help patients control their pain Improve fitness Encouraging return to normal activities Improve relaxation
Why might someone be excluded from a pain management programme?
Language barrier
Mental health problems
Poor cognitive ability
What are some problems with pain management programs?
Not all patients like group work
Need to begin at the start of every pain episode
Can be long and time consuming
Need proper pain training to run a course
