Types and physiological factors of pain experience

Pain is a unique experience for each individual and no two people experience pain in precisely the same way," and thus understanding pain can be quite complicated (Complimentary Therapists, 2013). There are a number of different kinds of pain that have both similarities and differences between one another. Yet, patient factors can also impact the physiology of pain as well.

Acute Pain

The most common type of pain for the larger population is acute pain. This is essentially the short-term type of pain that results directly from an injury or illness. Essentially, it is the body's way of telling the patient that there is something clearly wrong. According to the research, "acute pain is a normal response by the body to sickness or damage" and "in most cases it is not prolonged" (Complimentary Therapists, 2013). It is the direct result of harmful stimuli. Acute pain is sharp and immediate, yet it often subsides much faster than the other types of pain. Thus, "under normal conditions, noxious stimuli diminish as healing processes and pain sensation lessens until minimal or no pain is detected" (Voscopoulos & Lema, 2010).

Chronic Pain

On the other hand, chronic pain is much more long-term. It often lasts more than three months of whatever harmful stimulus had caused it in the first place. Chronic pain can even continue, even after healing has finished (Complimentary Therapists, 2013). Acute pain can become chronic if the healing process is impacted by various patient factors, like diet or age. Here, the research suggests that "persistent, intense pain, however, activates secondary mechanisms both at the periphery and within the central nervous system that cause allodynia, hyperglesia, and hyperpathia that can diminish normal functioning" (Voscopoulos & Lema, 2010). Various illnesses can also result in chronic pain, including "arthritis, rheumatic disorders, and long-term conditions such as lupus" (Complimentary Therapists, 2013). As such, chronic pain proves to last much longer than acute based on its persistence.

Patient Factors

There are a number of patient factors that affect the physiology of pain experienced by each unique individual. Essentially, "chemical, mechanical, and thermal receptors along with leucocytes and macrophages, determine the intensity, location, and duration" of various types of pain (Voscopoulos & Lema, 2010). A number of patient factors, like diet, age, and medical health history can influence the type of pain experienced. Additionally, emotional states of patients can also impact the type of pain experienced, along with the ability to heal properly (Complimentary Therapists, 2013). There are often other medical circumstances that can impact the level and type of pain experienced by patients. For example, chronic pain can develop after a patient has surgery. Pain after surgery varies depending on the type of surgery conducted, but also because of the bodily functions that occur after, such as "a cascade of inter-related events designed to fight infection, limit further damage, and initiate repair. It involves nociception, chemokines, and neurotrophins induce both peripheral and central nerve sensitization to heighten pain awareness in order to limit further injury to the affected area" (Voscopoulos & Lema, 2010). Surgery or other medical treatment strategies can impact the level of pain. Here, the research suggests that "chronic pain development after surgery likely occurs as a result of complex biochemical and pathophysiological mechanisms that differ in type among different surgical procedures" (Voscopoulos & Lema, 2010).