Organ-Specific Approaches: Pain Management.

Pain perceptions and pain behavior following acute injury are time dependent. At the first experience of pain a nocifensive reflex response develops, which is followed by the experience of an aversive, noxious quality, resulting in a negative affect and motivational response. Relief of noxious pain is achieved through counter-irritant measures (rubbing the painful site). A third response phase is defensive; the affected part is flexed and cradled, protected from stimulation due to hypersensitivity. Fortunately pain intensity diminishes with time, but hypersensitivity may persist. The hyperkinesis of the initial pain experience evolves into a quiescent phase and, in some, anorexia and sleep [1]. The demarcation of these phases is determined by the severity of the pain. The evolving response pattern changes from a spinal reflex to supraspinal and cerebral centered pain modulation [1]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]