psy255: week 11 - Understanding and Managing Pain

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts related to understanding and managing pain.

Acute pain

A type of pain that is sharp and severe but short-lived.

Chronic pain

Pain that persists for a long time, often defined as lasting longer than 12 weeks.

Recurrent acute pain

Pain that occurs intermittently, with periods of relief between episodes.

Intractable-benign pain

Chronic pain that is not associated with any underlying disease.

Progressive pain

Pain that worsens over time, often associated with a chronic condition.

Consequences of Pain

Disruption of ability to function; feeling pain can be beneficial for health.

Self-report measures

Tools used by patients to describe their pain experience.

Behavioral measures

Assessment of pain based on observable behavior.

Physiological measures

Methods of measuring pain through physical changes in the body.

Stress

A psychological factor that influences both mental and physical well-being.

Modeling

Learning through observation of how others respond to pain.

Reward

Secondary gain or reinforcement that can influence pain perception.

Cognition

How thoughts and beliefs about pain affect the pain experience.

Mood State

Emotional condition that can affect pain perception.

Social Support

Emotional and practical assistance that can reduce pain experience.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

A therapy that uses electrical impulses to relieve pain.

Acupuncture

An alternative therapy that involves inserting needles into the body for pain relief.

Massage therapy

Physical manipulation of muscle and soft tissue to relieve pain.

Chiropractic therapy

A treatment involving manipulation of the spine to relieve pain.

Physical Therapy

Therapeutic approach to improve physical function and reduce pain.

Analgesic drugs

Medications designed to relieve pain.

Narcotics

Powerful pain-relieving medications that require a prescription.

Local anesthetics

Medications that block sensation in a specific area of the body.

Codeine

A narcotic pain medication commonly used for mild to moderate pain.

Morphine

A strong narcotic used to relieve severe pain.

Novocain

A local anesthetic often used during dental procedures.

Aspirin

An analgesic that also reduces inflammation and fever.

Progressive muscle relaxation

A technique to reduce muscle tension and stress.

Guided imagery

A relaxation technique that involves visualizing calming scenarios.

Systematic desensitization

A behavioral therapy technique used to reduce fear and anxiety.

Fear hierarchy

A list of anxiety-provoking situations arranged from least to most threatening.

Counterconditioning

The process of replacing a negative response with a positive one.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches control over physiological functions through feedback.

Self-regulation

Managing one's own physiological responses through conscious techniques.

Meditation

A practice that involves focusing the mind for relaxation and stress reduction.

Distraction

A technique used to divert attention from pain.

Placebo effect

A phenomenon where improvement occurs due to belief in treatment rather than the treatment itself.

Endorphins

Natural pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body.

Practitioner’s belief

The therapist's confidence in treatment efficacy can influence patient outcomes.

Patients’ expectations

Beliefs about the effectiveness of treatment that affect their actual pain experience.

Environmental cues

Contextual factors that can influence the effectiveness of a placebo.

Headache Relief Study

An experiment to test the effectiveness of real medication versus placebo on headaches.

Natural pain-relieving chemicals

Biochemical substances produced in the body, like endorphins, that help reduce pain.

Heart rate

A measure of heartbeats per minute, often used in biofeedback.

Deep breathing

A relaxation technique involving slow and deep inhalations and exhalations.

Anxiety

A psychological state characterized by excessive worry and fear.

Relaxation training

Methods aimed at reducing tension and anxiety through various techniques.

Gradual exposure

Incremental confrontation of fears in a controlled manner.

Calm response

A state of relaxation achieved through counterconditioning.

Fear of Dogs

An example used in systematic desensitization to illustrate fear reduction techniques.

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy

Therapeutic approach that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques.

Effective outcomes

Positive results achieved through pain management strategies.

Prevent pain

Methods aimed at avoiding or diminishing the occurrence of pain.

Pain perception

The awareness and interpretation of pain sensations.

Coping strategies

Techniques utilized to manage and cope with pain.

Disruption of life activities

The impact of pain on daily functioning and quality of life.

Anxiety/Depression

Mental health conditions that can be exacerbated by chronic pain.

Chronic condition

A medical issue that persists over a long period.

Somatic symptom disorder

A condition characterized by persistent physical symptoms that cannot be explained.

Pain threshold

The point at which a person first perceives pain.

Pain tolerance

The maximum level of pain that a person can endure.

Medication adherence

The extent to which patients follow prescribed therapeutic regimens.

Patient education

Information provided to patients aimed at improving health outcomes.

Living with pain

The daily experience and management strategies of individuals with chronic pain.

Alternative therapies

Non-traditional approaches to pain management, such as acupuncture.

Integrated approach

Combining various treatment modalities for optimal pain management.

Physical modalities

Therapies that apply physical methods to alleviate pain.

Health consequences

The potential negative impacts of unmanaged pain on overall health.

Expectations of relief

Beliefs about the likelihood of experiencing pain reduction.

Feasibility of treatment

The practicality and likelihood of a treatment being effective.

Pain management plan

A comprehensive strategy to address and alleviate pain.

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Collaboration among different healthcare professionals to manage pain.

Goal setting

Establishing specific, measurable objectives for pain management.

Therapeutic alliance

The trusting relationship between healthcare providers and patients.

Self-management education

Teaching patients techniques to manage their own pain.

Pain relief strategies

Various methods employed to alleviate pain.

Functional outcomes

Results related to daily functioning as a consequence of pain management.