Clinical Aspects of Pain Flashcards

1
Q

How is pain described in terms of its nature and perception?

A

Pain is normal, personal, and always real. It is a response to a situation judged by the brain to be threatening and usually prompts a change in behavior. Only the individual can determine if they are in pain.

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2
Q

What is the purpose of pain according to clinical implications?

A

Pain serves as a usually useful but unpleasant response to prompt a change in behavior when the brain perceives a threat.

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3
Q

How does learning about pain benefit individuals and society?

A

Learning about pain is therapeutic. Understanding why one hurts can reduce pain, and knowledge about pain can be liberating for individuals and beneficial for society.

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4
Q

Why is knowledge about pain considered a powerful tool?

A

Knowledge is the greatest pain liberator, as understanding the cause of pain can significantly reduce it and help individuals feel less isolated in their experience.

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5
Q

How should practitioners approach explaining pain to patients?

A

Practitioners should convey complex bodily dysfunctions in simple, digestible terms to improve patient understanding. Clear explanations lead to better outcomes, as unexplained pain is the hardest to bear.

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6
Q

Why is unexplained pain considered particularly difficult for patients?

A

Unexplained pain is especially challenging because not understanding the cause can increase distress and negatively impact recovery outcomes.

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7
Q

Why might you have chronic low back pain from a past minor injury?

A

After an injury, your body becomes extra alert to that area, turning up the “alarm system” in your low back to stay aware of any issues there.

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8
Q

Can pain continue even after tissue has healed?

A

Yes, your body can keep the “alarm” turned up if the brain is still cautious about that area.

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9
Q

How can tight muscles cause chronic headaches?

A

Tight neck and shoulder muscles, like those attached to your skull, can refer pain and cause headaches.

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10
Q

What is the pain gate theory?

A

The body has ways to block pain signals. For example, touching a painful spot can release hormones that help “close the gate” on pain signals going to the brain.

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11
Q

What is happening with an L4/L5 disc herniation?

A

The spine has discs like jelly donuts between the bones. With a disc herniation, some “jelly” can press out, causing pain.

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12
Q

Does the amount of pain always relate to the extent of an injury?

A

No, pain can be intense without injury, and severe injuries can sometimes be pain-free. Understanding this can help manage pain.

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13
Q

Are there pain sensors in the body?

A

No, our bodies have danger sensors, not pain sensors. Pain is produced by the brain and considers more than just signals from danger sensors.

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14
Q

How is pain influenced by context?

A

Pain is affected by what we see, hear, smell, touch, think, believe, and by people and places around us. It’s a complex, conscious experience.

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15
Q

What can reduce the brain’s production of pain?

A

Credible evidence of safety can turn pain down. Both danger and safety cues, even subtle ones, influence pain.

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16
Q

What are some protective outputs the body uses?

A

Besides pain, our body uses responses like immune reactions, movement, breathing, and feelings such as stiffness, fear, and fatigue to protect us.

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17
Q

What does bioplasticity mean in relation to pain?

A

Bioplasticity means our protective systems, including pain, can adapt and change back, showing that pain responses can be adjusted over time.

18
Q

What are some active strategies for managing pain?

A

Learning about pain allows us to explore movement, improve fitness, sleep, reduce danger cues, increase safety cues, and regain control.

19
Q

What should you do if current pain treatments aren’t working?

A

There’s no shame in reevaluating treatments based on new pain knowledge; remember, the brain can produce its own powerful pain relief.

20
Q

Where is the best place to treat persistent pain?

A

It’s best managed within your own environment. Seek support from pain champions in your community to help with recovery.

21
Q

If manual therapy doesn’t “fix” tissue, what is its purpose in treating chronic pain?

A

Manual therapy affects the nervous system and can modulate pain perception through various neurological mechanisms, aiding in chronic pain management.

22
Q

How does manual therapy use Gate Control Theory to reduce pain?

A

Techniques like massage activate large-diameter sensory fibers (A-beta fibers) that engage inhibitory neurons in the spinal cord, blocking pain signals from A-delta and C fibers and reducing pain perception.

23
Q

How does manual therapy stimulate endogenous pain relief?

A

It promotes the release of natural opioids (endorphins, enkephalins) in the brain and spinal cord, which inhibit pain signals and produce analgesic effects.

24
Q

How does manual therapy help with central sensitization in chronic pain?

A

It modulates neuron excitability in the central nervous system, helping reduce amplified pain signals and restoring normal sensory processing.

25
Q

What neuroplastic changes can manual therapy induce in the brain?

A

Manual therapy can alter synaptic connections and neuronal activity patterns, improving pain processing, sensory integration, and motor function.

26
Q

How does manual therapy influence the autonomic nervous system?

A

Techniques like gentle touch and joint mobilization activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress, anxiety, and tension often linked with chronic pain.

27
Q

How does manual therapy affect cortical reorganization in chronic pain?

A

Tactile stimulation and proprioceptive feedback from manual therapy help reorganize cortical body maps, improving body awareness and pain modulation.

28
Q

At what levels does manual therapy impact the nervous system?

A

Manual therapy affects peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal levels, targeting neurophysiological pain pathways to provide relief for chronic pain.

29
Q

Why is it important to tailor manual therapy within a pain management plan?

A

Each person responds differently, so manual therapy should be integrated with other treatments to address the individual’s specific pain management needs and goals.

30
Q

Why is it important to individualize treatment plans?

A

Every client has unique life experiences and stories. While patient presentations may be similar, each patient has differences requiring tailored treatment plans.

31
Q

What does a comprehensive pain assessment involve?

A

It includes reviewing the nature, severity, duration, and impact of pain on daily life, using medical history, physical exams, and pain assessment tools to address all pain aspects.

32
Q

What are some goals set during pain management?

A

Goals may include pain reduction, improved mobility, strength, and endurance, and enhanced participation in activities. Progress is tracked, and achievements are celebrated.

33
Q

How does manual therapy aid in chronic pain management?

A

Techniques like joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial release help with joint mobility, reduce muscle guarding, and alleviate pain to support therapeutic exercises.

34
Q

What is the purpose of pain neuroscience education?

A

To help patients understand how pain is processed, empowering them to manage pain through movement and self-care strategies.

35
Q

What is graded exposure, and how does it help with chronic pain?

A

Graded exposure involves gradually increasing movement or activity intensity to desensitize the nervous system, build confidence, and ease back into pain-inducing activities.

36
Q

How can graded exposure be applied to different body regions?

A

Chronic pain exercises might need graded exposure in movements for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, scaling up or down as needed.

37
Q

Why is scaling movements up or down important?

A

Scaling movements appropriately for a patient’s comfort and relating them to enjoyable activities enhances engagement and effectiveness.

38
Q

How does a practitioner empower patients to manage their chronic pain?

A

By providing education, support, and guidance on movement, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and self-care strategies to optimize pain management and long-term well-being.

39
Q

Why is building rapport with a client crucial in a therapeutic relationship?

A

A strong rapport ensures the client feels heard and valued, making them more open to collaboration, suggestions, and treatment plans.

40
Q

What qualities help build a strong rapport with clients?

A

Active listening, consistent check-ins about treatment progress, and addressing their concerns and case history thoroughly.

41
Q

What is the ultimate goal of massage therapy for chronic pain patients?

A

To reduce reliance on passive modalities, using massage as a tool to guide the patient toward being pain-free and self-sufficient in managing their condition.