Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 54

CHAPTER 10
PAIN AND EMOTIONAL
DISTRESS
Pain is a complex experience that includes both physical and psychological
factors. Pain can be defined as ‘an unpleasant sensory and emotional experi-
ence associated with actual or potential damage, or described in terms of such
damage’. Acute pain can frequently lead to emotional reactions such as fear
and anxiety.
A large part of the fear and anxiety that accompany spinal pain is the
unknown underlying cause of the pain and the uncertainty around the effect
that this may have on the patient’s everyday life.
Knowledge about the condition, the treatment and expected outcome is para-
mount in countering the emotional reaction associated with the pain and aids
in faster and more complete recovery.
Important steps in conquering the emotional effects of pain
1. The underlying condition must be diagnosed and defined.
2. The expected treatment and possible success should be outlined.
3. The prognosis should be established.
4. Both physical therapy and treatment to reduce pain should be instituted as
promptly as possible, as this will prevent a cycle of ongoing pain and fear to
develop.
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