Pain Management
Patients often report what may seem to the health‐care professional to
be bizarre or irrational beliefs. However, when we
investigate further the background of these beliefs
they can often have a simple, if important, route. The above statement,
for example, was spoken in clinic by a chronic back
pain patient who had been informed that he had marked ‘disc
degeneration’
on x‐ray findings. For all patients with pain, what
is understood about the meaning of pain, disease and/or disability will
play a part in the presentation of the problem and
the effectiveness of treatment. For patients with chronic pain, these
beliefs
form part of the psychosocial context, known to be
the largest influence in predicting the extent of pain‐associated
disability.
For the clinician interested in improving
assessment and treatment, an understanding of the role of psychological
factors
in the presentation of a pain problem is a
fundamental requirement.
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain Management
