Week 2 - Pain

Question 1

Experiences of pain can be described by two components..

Answer 1

1. sensory component
2. affective and cognitive component

Question 2

Somatic pain

Answer 2

• within the skin or deeper (bones/joints/muscle)
• somatosensory nerve detect the pain stimulus
• can be presented as referred pain

Question 3

Visceral pain

Answer 3

• within or around organs
• sympathetic nervous system fibers detect the pain stimulus

Question 4

What are the 3 types of pain

Answer 4

1. nociceptive pain
2. inflammatory pain
3. pathological

Question 5

What is pathological pain?

Answer 5

• not due to a damaging stimulus
• often an outcome of peripheral nerve damage (neuropathic pain)

Question 6

Pathological pain physiology

Answer 6

• nerves fire spontaneously -> pain sensation in absence of stimulus
• CNS relays pain info to other parts of the brain

Question 7

3 key points for reconceptualizing pain (Moseley)

Answer 7

1. pain level is not proportionate to tissue injury
2. pain is modulated by main factors (somatic, psychological, social domains)
3. the relationship between pain and the state of the tissues becomes less predictable as pain persists

Question 8

Pain threshold definition

Answer 8

the level of stimulation needed to activate the pain pathway and achieve a perceivable signal to the brain

Question 9

Pain tolerance definition

Answer 9

the ability to withstand pain - intensity and time

Question 10

What is pain tolerance modulated by?

Answer 10

modulated by endorphins

Question 11

What is an endorphin?

Answer 11

NTs that help reduce pain (increase pain threshold)
AKA endogenous opioids

Question 12

What affects pain perception and response?

Answer 12

• age
• culture
• family traditions
• prior experience
• fear or anxiety

Question 13

Pain receptors:

Answer 13

Nociceptors (free nerve endings)
- sense extreme thermal, chemical, mechanical stimuli

Question 14

2 types of afferent fibers in the pain pathways

Answer 14

1. A delta fibers (larger, myelinated)
2. C fibers (small, unmyelinated)

Question 15

A-delta fibers

Answer 15

• larger, myelinated
• low threshold pain (mechanical and thermal) receptors in skin
• transmit sharp, well-localized pain sensations

Question 16

C-fibers

Answer 16

• small, unmyelinated
• high threshold thermo-, mechano-, and chemo- receptors (dull, throbbing, aching, burning pain, poorly localized)
• found in muscle, tendons, body organs, and skin

Question 17

Chronic pain classifications

Answer 17

• lasting more than 3 months
• not usually an extension of acute pain
• may become a issue of nerve hypersensitivity
• may be localized within the CNS
• may be a mix of excitatory and inhibitory systems

Question 18

Pain management goal

Answer 18

remove the causes of pain

Question 19

Neuromodulation

Answer 19

e.g. transcranial magnetic stimulation
- stimulate nerve cells in specific brain region
- effective treatment for chronic depression and neuropathic pain

Question 20

Safe movement and exercise for pain

Answer 20

• helps desensitize the sensitized nervous system
• anti-inflammatory
• visualize movement first
• find enjoyable exercise