Pain "chronification" : what is the problem with this model?

• OBJECTIVES: There appears to be an unwarranted focus on all chronic pain being a "chronification" of acute pain. Despite a plethora of studies on mechanisms to prevent this "chronification" following surgery, the positive effects have been minimal. An alternate model to explain chronic pain is presented.METHODS: Research in PUBMED and accessing data from the HUNTpain examination study.RESULTS: Data from the HUNT pain examination study reveal that less than 25% of individuals with chronic pain in a general population can relate the onset to an acute event. Another theory explaining the origin of chronic pain is that of priming and the accumulation of events that can be predictors along a continuum before chronic pain is apparent. This theory is presented to refocus for better prevention and treatment of chronic pain.CONCLUSIONS: "Chronification" cannot explain all cases of chronic/persistent pain. The plastic changes in the pain processing system can be seen as a continuum where at some point where an acute pain event is only one of several possible tipping points on this continuum that changes potential pain to perceived pain.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Anestesi och intensivvård (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

chronification

continuum

pain

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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