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Season 2, Episode 10: The Problem of Pain
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In this episode we begin to explore the psychology of pain and pain management. We begin by discussing what pain is and what the function of pain is. We explore how acute, localized pain can develop into chronic, generalized pain. We then discuss the effect of chronic pain on the body and mind.
Acute, localized pain will tend follow an “ideal” arc of pain treatment, beginning with the appearance of the pain as it is first noticed in the body. This awareness generally leads a person to reach out to a medical provider, who will initiate a process of investigation to determine the cause of the pain. This investigation will hopefully provide the information necessary for the medical team to devise an effective treatment plan, which should address the underlying cause of the pain, resulting in recovery to normal, pain-free functioning.
However, when pain becomes chronic and/or generalized in the body, this brief, idealized arc of pain treatment can become an extended journey of pain treatment and, possibly, pain management. We highlight the four stages of this pain journey: crisis, investigation, treatment, and recovery/management. We examine these four stages in depth in order to understand how complications can arise along the way. We discuss how each stage can add additional stress on a person who is already struggling due to the pain overloading their system. We explain how the complications at each stage emphasize the need for effective support, for patient compliance, for clear communication, and for the strength and resilience to adjust to the process.
This overview of pain, its effect on our body and mind, and the stages of the pain journey will serve as background for the next episode, in which we will discuss why patients in pain treatment are sometimes referred for mental health support and what kinds of interventions are most helpful for someone dealing with chronic pain.
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Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.
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