PSYCH 628 Pain Theories And Treatment Presentation

PSYCH 628 Pain Theories And Treatment Presentation

Week 4 Team B presentation

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Introduction

Gate Control Theory

Behavioral Pain Theory

Use of Psychogenic Pain in Theories

Evidence-Based Interventions in Theories

“Pain is major health problem that affects more than 50 million American, costing more than $100 billion annually” (Straub, 2012 p. 418). This cost is a direct effect of health care cost and lost of wages and is most sort for treatment by patients. Often pain is formed through biological, psychological, and sociobehavioral forces. Pain signals that something is wrong and to take precautions but, not feeling on the other hand can be harmful. Because pain is such a strong motivator for action, it is considered one of the body’s most important protective mechanisms. Pain is divided into three categories known as acute, recurrent, and chronic pain. There are several theories of pain that have been formulated such as the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory that will be discussed and defined within this presentation. The presentation will discussed psychogenic pain as the chosen pain disorder selected by Team B. As part of this specific disorder (psychogenic pain) the way in which this pain disorder can be understood through the use of the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory will be defined. Also, potential evidence-based interventions in regards to the two theories (gate control & behavioral pain) and there use in treatment planning will be discussed.

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Gate Control Theory

“In 1965, Ronald Melzack and Peter wall outlined a gate control theory (GCT) that moved past some of the shortcomings of earlier theories” (Straub, 2012 p. 428). This theory involves a mechanism in the brain acts as a gate to increase or decrease the flow of nerve impulses from the peripheral fibers to the central nervous system. As depicted in diagram above “open” gate allows the flow of nerve impulses, and the brain can perceive pain. A “closed” gate does not allow flow of nerve impulses, decreasing the perception of pain (Srivastava, 2010). The gate control theory looks at the complex structure of the of the central nervous system that involves the central and peripheral nervous systems. “In the gate control theory, the experience of pain depends on a complex interplay of these two systems as they each process pain signals in their own way (Deardorff, 2003).

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Behavioral Pain Theory

Physiological Theory

Cognitive Theory

There are two types of pain; fundamental “sensory” pain, the intensity of which is a direct function of the intensity of various pain stimuli, and “psychological” pain, the intensity of which is highly modifiable by such factors as hypnotism, placebos, and the sociocultural setting in which the stimulus occurs(Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y. , 2014).

Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral theories of pain have their own view in regards to the nature of the two kinds of pain. According to physiological theory and cognitive theory, “psychological” pain and “sensory” pain are both internal processes, with the former influencing the latter as central processes influence peripheral processes (Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y., 2014) . According to behavioral theory, “sensory” pain is a reflex and “psychological” pain is an instrumental act (an operant).

Behavioral pain theory suggest that neither kind of pain is an internal procesh however they are overt behaviors (Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y., 2014) . Although both physiological theory and cognitive theory agree that pain is internal, they also disagree with commonsense intuitions at other points. The two theories do not explain the subjective experience of pain than is behavioral theory. They have not generated treatments for pain that are better to those generated by behavioral theory. There is no basis for the frequent claim by anti-behaviorist philosophers, health care professionals, and psychologists that behaviorism, because it cannot explain pain, is less capable of explaining mental phenomena than physiology or cognition ( Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y., 2014)

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Psychogenic Pain

Gate Control Theory

(Bing, 2014)

Psychogenic pain is not classified as “true physical pain” (Thomas, 2003, p. 1). Some psychogenic pain can be caused from injuries the person sustained. Back pain can be caused from a vehicle accident, which can increase with age. Gender and sociocultural factors can play a factor with the gate control theory and psychogenic pain (Straub, 2014). A women may be more prone to headaches (migraines) then men. “Surveys of American adults suffering chronic lower back pain, postoperative dental pain and other pain syndromes have shown significant differences in the level of pain reported by Americans of African, Hispanic, Asian, and European descent (Faucett and others, 1994)” (Straub, 2014, p. 434).

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