9. Pain

Question 1

What are the factors that distinguish acute from chronic pain?

Answer 1

Acute is less than 3 months, on-going tissue damage, short term medication, rest is useful. Chronic is the opposite of all these.

Question 2

How is pain experienced?

Answer 2

Through complex pathways between the brain and damage/disease source via nerve fibres.

Question 3

What affects the level of pain experienced?

Answer 3

How many gates are open or closed, this affects the number of pain messages that are received.

Question 4

What can open gates in neural messaging to signal pain?

Answer 4

injury, over/under activity, sensitivity of the nervous system, stress and tension, focusing on pain (expectation), negative beliefs, minimal involvement in life, psychological factors like depression or anxiety.

Question 5

What can close gates in neural messaging to signal pain?

Answer 5

Medication, counter-stimulation, exercise, relaxation, distraction, positive emotions, positive beliefs, and active life.