Pain Flashcards
Who created the Gate Control Theory of Pain?
Ronald Melzack and David Wall (1956)
Gate Control Theory of Pain (GCTOF)
Explains the neurological mechanisms of pain and links the biology to psychological processes
How is pain stimulated in the GCTOF
Carried by small, slow fibres that enter the dorsal horn of the spinal cord; then other cells transmit the impulses from the spinal cord up to the brain
What controls the ‘gateway’ to pain experience?
Substantia Gelatinosa (SG) of the dorsal horn
Gate can be opened and closed
Who created the Biopsyhosocial model of pain?
George L Engel (1977)
Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
Pain is not simply neurophysiological but also social and psychological
What factors influence biopsychosocial model?
- Culture
- Nociceptive stimuli
- Environment
Psychological Dimensions of Pain
Sensory (Discriminative)
Cognitive (Evaluative)
Emotional (Affective)
Sensory (Discriminative)
Location and quality of pain
Cognitive (Evaluative)
Individuals ability to perceive and evaluate the pain based on previous experience and knowledge about pain
Emotional (Affective)
Emotional response based on past experience and expression
Pain Behaviour
Seeking analgesia/meds
Complaining due to pain or not getting required treatment
Protective postures
Rest
What is the key to reducing long term illness/disease?
Physical Activity
What are reinforcers of pain?
Drugs
Sympathy
Avoidance of social demands
Drugs
Habituation > becoming immune to the effects
Addiction > still taking meds when not in pain
Sympathy
Social attention - rewarded through sympathy/caring
Avoidance of social demands
Work, unwanted social interaction
Pain Management Strategies for ACUTE
Treating inflammation
Reducing nociceptor sensitivity
Treating symptomatically
Pain Management Strategies for CHRONIC
Physical and combined therapies
Pharmalogical/surgical treatments
Activation of descending nociceptive touch receptor pathyways
Psychological Interventions
Why is pain good (functional)?
- Signals injury
- Limits activity and consequent damage
- Useful for diagnosis/treatment
Why is pain bad (dysfunctional)?
- Suffering/Depression
- Limits activity/social participation
- Inhibits recovery
- Limits rehab
- Financial costs
What is Pain?
Unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage
20% people suffer chronic pain in Australia
