Pain is an unpleasant experience that varies from mild discomfort to excruciating. The physiology of pain describes the biological processes that occur as a reaction to painful stimuli. It’s a protective mechanism that warns our bodies of potential harm or injury. Understanding the physiology of pain allows you to manage your pain effectively.
With board-certified pain management physicians, Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital can help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Today, we’ll explore the physiology of pain, the effects of unrelieved pain, and approaches to treating pain.
The Physiology of Pain
Pain affects both the sensory and emotional components of the body. It’s generally classified into the following categories:
Acute pain
Acute pain occurs due to illness or injury that causes swelling or damage to the body tissues. This type of pain comes on quickly but lasts only a short time. It can be severe or mild and, when left untreated, develops into chronic pain.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is an ongoing tissue injury resulting from the activation of sensory nerve fibers responsible for transmitting pain signals. This pain can also result from central or peripheral nervous system damage.
Chronic pain is also known as persistent pain because it persists for weeks or years, despite receiving medication or treatment. Pains such as back and neck pains can be categorized as chronic.
Nociceptive pain
Nociceptive pain occurs when harmful stimuli are detected by nociceptors around the body. Nociceptors are receptors that detect any pain caused by the body being harmed. Depending on the responsible stimulus, this pain may range from sharp to dull and might give a pricking, aching, or burning sensation. Injuries that trigger nociceptive pain include burns, bruises, and joint damage.
Nociceptive pain is categorized into two; radicular and somatic pain.
- Radicular pain occurs as a result of irritation of nerve roots. For instance, it can originate from the back or hip and travel through the spine into the leg, or it can originate from the neck and travel through the spine into the hand. This type of pain is known to cause numbness and tingling in the leg and hand.
- Somatic pain occurs as a result of the activation of pain receptors in tissues such as muscles, bone, and skin. This pain is often stimulated by movement and includes arthritis pain and pain related to a fracture.
Physiologic Effects of Unrelieved Pain
When pain is unrelieved, it triggers a stress response in the body. The response increases heart and breathing rates to meet the heightened demand for oxygen and other vital nutrients to maintain essential organ function.
In most cases, prolonged, unrelieved pain can lead to a chronic state of stress, which can harm multiple organ systems in the body. Therefore, effective pain management is integral to holistic nursing care, particularly in managing acute pain.
Approaches to Treating Chronic Pain
Effective pain management alleviates physical discomfort and improves emotional well-being and overall body functionality. Some chronic pain treatment approaches include:
- Medication
- Injection
- Therapy
- Exercise
- Acupuncture
At Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital, we conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine the root cause of your chronic pain before recommending the most appropriate treatment approach for your specific condition. We believe in an individualized approach to pain management and work closely with our patients to develop a personalized treatment plan that best meets their unique needs.
Take Control of Your Pain with Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital
Chronic pain can affect every aspect of your life. However, the right treatment approach can manage your physiological response to pain and improve your overall well-being.
Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital has a team of board-certified pain management physicians specializing in treating chronic pain conditions. We have extensive knowledge regarding physiological pain and provide various chronic pain treatment approaches.
Don’t suffer in silence if you or someone you know is living with chronic pain. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians and take control of your pain.
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