Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Pain Physiology

Pain can be thought of as both a sensory and an emotional experience. It can also, however, be considered the consequence of the operation of specific neural circuits. The study of pain encompasses a broad field; it includes both the peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as the various different types of pain and the methods employed for their control. Pain may be acute, chronic, associated with some underlying disease, or possibly the result of some previous injury. Moreover, the diversity inherent to the phenomenon of pain is equally matched by the complexity of the physiological mechanisms which cause it. This complexity has consequently resulted in a wide variety of therapeutic approaches towards pain management.

The phenomenon of pain has always been a major concern of mankind (2:2). Pain has existed through the ages in every civilization and in every culture (2:2).

Apparently primitive humans had little difficulty in understanding the pain associated with accidental injury but were mystified by pain caused by internal disease or that inflicted by an arrow or spear (2:3). The cause of painful diseases or pain inflicted by a foreign object was often linked with the intrusion of magic fluids, evil spirits, or pain demons into the body (2:3). Treatment consisted of extracting any foreign object and making efforts to ward off, appease, or frighten away the pain demons (2:3). Using charms and talismans, primitive peoples invented conjurations and spells in an attempt to exorcize the causes of pain (2:3).

While in the earliest societies women may have predominantly served as healers, the role was eventually assumed by the medicine man (2:3). Besides using costume and incantations, medicine men also employed herbal concoctions in their effort to allay suffering (2:3).

With time the medicine man was replaced by the priest (2:5). The advance of certain societies also led to new concepts regarding pain....

Page 1 of 26 Next >

More on Pain Physiology...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Pain Physiology. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 02:07, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1689801.html