PMC APPLES

• What is the purpose of pain in the body?

  1. Pain serves as a defense mechanism.

  
  

  2. It alerts the body to potential harm or injury.
• What is pain?


  Pain is a general term describing uncomfortable sensations in the body
• Why do individuals often seek medical care?

  Pain is the most common reason individuals seek medical care.
• How does the experience of pain change in older individuals?

  1. Experience of pain changes with age.

  
  

  2. Atypical presentation may occur.

  
  

  3. Pain or pain treatments can have increased negative effects.
• What is nociception in the pathophysiology of pain?

  Process of detecting harmful stimuli.
• What do nociceptors respond to?

  Nociceptors respond to tissue damage or potential harm.
• What are the four steps involved in nociception?

  1.Transduction:

  Activation of nociceptors by harmful stimuli.

  
  

  2.Transmission:

  Relay of pain signals to the spinal cord and brain.

  
  

  3.Perception:

  Interpretation of pain signals in the brain.

  
  

  4.Modulation:

  Regulation of pain signals by inhibitory or facilitatory pathways.
• What is the first phase of nociception, specifically referring to injury and response initiation?

  Transduction: First Phase:Involves the recognition of signals of tissue or cell damage by pain nerve fibers.
• What is the second phase of nociception?

  Pain signals move from nociceptors in the PNS to the spinal cord and brain in the CNS.
• What are A-delta fibers, and what are their characteristics in pain perception?

  A-delta fibers:

  
  

  Myelinated, sharp, well-localized, and short in duration.
• What are C fibers, and what are their characteristics in pain perception?

  C fibers:

  
  

  Unmyelinated, dull, aching, diffuse in nature, slow onset, and relatively long in duration.
• What is the third phase of nociception?

  Perception (Third Phase):

  
  

  Involves conscious awareness of pain and the interpretation of pain signals in the brain.
• What is the fourth phase of nociception?

  Modulation (Fourth Phase):

  
  

  1. Involves altered signals and responses in the spinal cord and brain.

  
  

  2. Can lead to either an increase or decrease in pain perception.
• What are the key components of assessing mobility?

  1.Range of Motion (ROM):Involves both passive and active movements of joints.

  
  

  2.Gait:Observing the manner of walking.

  
  

  3.Exercise:Evaluating the individual's engagement in physical activity.
• What are the 5 functions of the skeletal system?

  1. Support

  2. Protection

  3. Movement

  4. Storage

  5. Hematopoesis
• What is a synarthrotic joint?

  Description:

  
  

  1. Bone on bone connection.

  
  

  2. Immovable joint.
• What is a cartilaginous joint?

  Description:

  
  

  1. Joints with little movement.

  
  

  2. Cartilage found between bones.
• What is a fibrous joint?

  Description:

  
  

  1. Joint where two bony surfaces meet with a ligament.

  
  

  2. Limited movement.
• What is a synovial joint?


  Description:

  
  

  1. Freely moving joint.

  
  

  2. Covered by articular cartilage and connected by ligaments.
• What is a ligament?

  Description:

  
  

  1. Flexible bands of fibrous tissue.

  
  

  2. Connect bones and cartilage, or bone to bone.
• What are tendons?


  Description:

  
  

  1. Fibrous bands of tissue.

  
  

  2. Connect bone to muscle.
• What is cartilage?


  Description:

  
  

  1.. Supporting connective tissue.

  
  

  2. Used for shock absorption.
• What are the functions of skeletal muscles?

  Functions:

  
  

  1. Moving, Stabilizing, Posture

  
  

  2. Heat, Circulation, Organ protection
• What is the neuromuscular junction?

  Description:

  
  

  1. It's the point where nerves connect with muscles.

  
  

  2. Impulses travel across this junction, stimulating muscle contraction.
• What characterizes isotonic contractions?

  1. Muscles contraction and change in length.

  
  

  Example: Weight lifting.
• What characterizes isometric contractions?

  1. Muscles being tightened/tense without moving body parts.

  
  

  Example:Yoga.
• Why are alignment, posture, and balance important?

  1.Importance:Reduce the risk of injury and facilitate proper function of organs.

  
  

  2.Alignment:Relationship from one body part to another (e.g., distal, mid, proximal).

  
  

  3.Balance:Achieved when the center of gravity is balanced over a stable base.
• What are the characteristics of Acute Pain?

  1. Sudden onset and typically resolves.

  
  

  2. Usually associated with illness, injury, trauma, surgery, infection, or angina.
• What are the characteristics of Chronic Pain?

  1. Lasts over 6 months and often not resolved.

  
  

  Associated with conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia, etc.
• What is Somatic Pain?


  Pain originating from musculoskeletal tissues.

  
  

  Examples: Fractures, sprains, arthritis.

  
  

  Characteristics:

  Most common.

  Affects skin, bone, joint, muscle, and connective tissue.

  Increases with movement.

  Described well (e.g., "throbbing").

  Localized.
• What is Visceral Pain?

  Pain originating from internal organs.

  
  

  Examples: Appendicitis, gastrointestinal obstruction.

  
  

  Characteristics:

  Involves internal organs.

  Tends to be diffuse (not localized).

  More challenging to describe, often vague.

  Can radiate (e.g., myocardial infarction).
• What is Neuropathic Pain?

  Characteristics:

  Results from nerve injury or abnormal processing by the nervous system.

  Cause may be undetermined.

  Described as burning, shooting, electrical, or prickling.

  Not localized.

  Chronic in nature
• What are some Psychological Modalities for Pain Treatment?


  1. Visualization

  
  

  2. Relaxation

  
  

  3. Distraction
• What are some Physical Modalities for Pain Treatment?

  1. Cold

  
  

  2. Heat

  
  

  3. Massage or Positioning
• What are some Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Treatment?

  1. NSAIDs and Non-Opioids:Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and non-opioid medications for mild to moderate pain relief.

  
  

  Examples: Tylenol (Acetaminophen), Advil (Ibuprofen)

  
  

  
  

  2.Opioids:Strong analgesics used for moderate to severe pain management.

  
  

  Examples: Codeine, Morphine, Hydromorphone

  
  

  
  

  3.Co-Analgesics:Medications that enhance pain relief when used alongside other analgesics.

  
  

  Examples: Anticonvulsants, Corticosteroids, and Other
• What are examples of physiological effects of pain?

  Nausea, Fatigue
• What are examples of psychological effects of pain?

  Depression, Ineffective coping, Anxiety, Disturbed sleep, Guilt, Spiritual distress
• What are examples of psychosocial effects of pain?

  Impaired social interactions, Sexual dysfunction
• What are some fear-related effects associated with pain?

  Fear of addiction, Impact of pain
• How is addiction defined?

  Addiction is a disease influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.