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Pain Mechanisms


There is a need to think holistically in order to understand pain. It is complex and in this next section the aim is to give a brief over view and to enable the reader to reflect on some of the many facets of pain. Pain is a sensation that is real, and one that is felt and reported differently by each of us. It is influenced by our life experiences and our genetics. As health professionals we can contribute to alleviating a person’s concerns about their pain by listening and believing their story. 

Please click on the podcast below to gain an over view of the physiological processes relating to pain.
The following terms will be used

Nociceptors – nerve receptors that are sensitive to pain stimuli

Primary afferent fibres – The branch of the nerve which takes sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. For example a pain stimulus from the hand to the spinal cord

Signalling up the spinal cord – The spinal cord consists of many neural pathways. The analogy is that of a telephone cable. A couple of cables (tracts) (i.e spinothalamic tract) transmit pain stimuli up the spinal cord to a part of the brain (i.e.thalamus)

Pain processing in the brain – A complex process which involves different parts of the brain

Inhibition of pain transmission – Pain signals may be inhibited by the activity of inhibitory interneurons.

Visceral pain – visceral tissues have two sets of afferents one set follows the sympathetic nerves and the parasympathetic sacral nerves and the other follows the parasympathetic vagus nerve to the brain stem.

Neuropathic pain – occurs as a result of an insult/injury/lesion in either the peripheral or central nervous system.
The following questions are designed to help you revise and understand the pain mechanisms discussed in the podcast - click on the links in bold – to refresh your memory.

· Where are nociceptors found?

· What are the three types of primary afferent fibres?

· Name the two pathways that are involved in pain signalling up the spinal cord?

· What might affect pain processing in the brain?

· Name two theories that relate to inhibition of pain transmission? How are these used in practice?

· Why might visceral pain be referred?

· What common condition might cause neuropathic pain?
About this Resource:
This resource has been developed by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University (BU) and funded by the BU Centre for Excellence in Learning. The contents have been developed and co-created by staff and students from BU. The site was designed by Thomas Galloway & Abraham Weiskorn, a Graphic Design Student from Portsmouth University and a Digital Media Design Student from Bournemouth University. The editors are: Dr Carol Clark Senior Academic - Physiotherapy and Dr Desi Tait Senior Academic - Nursing from Bournemouth University.

The aim of this site is to promote and facilitate inter-professional learning and collaboration in the theory and practice of pain management using a humanising approach to care (Todres 
et al 2009).
Picture
  • Home
  • The IPE Pain Model
  • Assess Your Knowledge
    • Assessing Pain General Knowledge
    • Pain Processing in the Brain – Pain Memory
    • Pain Physiology
    • Reducing Perceptions of Pain
  • Stories
    • Mollie's Story
    • Anna's Story
    • Sanjeeta's Story
    • Lola's Story
  • Roles
    • Nurses >
      • Adult Nursing
      • Nursing Mental Health
    • Physiotherapy
    • Midwifery
    • Paramedic Practitioner
    • Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)
  • Resources
    • Pain Recognition & People with Learning Difficulties
    • Child Case Study
    • Dorset Pain Society