Week 5 - Pain

Question 1

Why do we have pain?

Answer 1

• Regulates daily activity : provides feedback
• Leads us to seeking treatment if too intense
• Avoid noxious stimuli

Question 2

5 ways we can define pain

Answer 2

1 = NATURE - severity, pattern, type
2= SEVERITY - mild discomfort to excruciating
3= TYPE - stabbing , shooting , piercing, dull, aching
4= PATTERN - brief, continuous, kinetic, sporadic
5= DURATION - acute vs chronic (6m+) ; benign / progressive

Question 3

How can pain be measured?

Answer 3

• Subjective
• Questionnaires, diaries, behaviour
• Cold pressor technique
• McGill Pain Questionnaire

Question 4

Explain specific theory (Biological) as a way to explain pain

Answer 4

• Pain detected but pain receptors in skin
• Transmit info via afferent nerves for brain processing

Question 5

Explain pattern theory (Biological) to explain pain

Answer 5

• Pain is perceived only when neural stimulation exceeds a threshold

:( Assumes people respond to pain the same

Question 6

Examples of limitations towards pain

Answer 6

• Phantom Limb : pain but no receptors , neural plasticity
• Psychological : More fixation (episodic analgesia)
• Cold pressor tasks : when focusing on pain vs computer task accompanied with cold press, less pain with distractors [James et al]
• Mood : depressed individuals = more cold pressor pain

Question 7

Explain the gate control theory

Answer 7

• Not one pain for everyone : pain gate in spinal column as well as neurone pathway
• Open gate = neg emotions, boredom, pain
• Closed gate = pos. Emotions, less pain / medication