Pain and Management

Chapter 3
 Definition
 Pain is a sensation of hurting or strong
discomfort in some part of the body, acused
by an injury, disease, or a functional
disorder and transmitted through the
nervous system.
 Purpose
 Pain is a warning that something is wrong
in normal body functioning.
 It is one of the most common complaints of
a person seeking medical attention
 Assessment
 P – place
 A – amount use a pain scale
 I – interactions (what makes the pain worse)
 N – neutralizers (what makes the pain less)
 Acute/Chronic and Cancer
 Acute – recent onset has been experienced
over a period less than 6 months.
 Chronic – may be continuous or
intermittent, occurring over a period of
longer than 6 months.
 Cancer related - -may be acute or chronic.
 Treatment
 Medications – opioid, and nonopioid.
 Surgery – to block the transmission of pain
or remove the cause of pain
 Alternative Therapies
 Biofeedback – aimed at helping gain voluntary
control over normally involuntary physiologic
functions.
 Relaxation – used to modify muscle tension
 Imagery – used to produce relaxation and increase
the production of endorphins.
 Hypnosis –
 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation –
(TENS) to block or reduce the transmission of
painful impulses.
 Alternative Therapies
 Massage – consist of manipulation,
methodical pressure, friction, and kneading
of the body.
 This type of treatment stimulates blood
flow, induces relaxation, and increases the
production of endorphins.
 Humor, Laughter, and Play
 Humor and laughter control pain in four
ways:
 Distracting attention
 Reducing tension
 Changing expectations
 Increasing production of endorphins –the
body’s natural pain killers.
 Music
 Music helps alleviate pain.
 Put client in a more relaxed state
 May also have healing powers
 Acupuncture
 Originated in China more than 5000 years
ago
 Technique for treating certain painful
conditions and for producing regional
anesthesia via the passage of long, thin
needles through the skin to specific points
 Aromatherapy
 Is the use of essential oils found in plants
and herbs to relieve pain
 Therapeutic Touch
 Is a technique that has been taught to thousands of
practitioners.
 The practitioner begins the therapeutic touch
session with a client assessment wherein the
practitioner places hands 2 to 6 inches above the
client’s body and makes slow, rhythmic hand
motions so that the client’s blockages in the
energy field can be found.hand motions replenish
the energy field
 Yoga
 Means union, is a system of beliefs and practices,
the goal of which is to teach mind and body unity
 Generally associated with physical postures,
relaxation, and regulation of breathing
 Used to promote relaxation, aid circulation, reduce
fatigue, lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate,
stimulate particular body areas, strengthen
muscles, and develop flexibility