understanding of the concept and mechanisms underlying pain, the signs and symptoms, pharmacology and how health promotion activities may be applied to encourage positive health-related behaviours in the management of pain.
In this assignment you are required to read the follow statement:
“Long term effects of Covid-19 (Long Covid) can come with complaints of pain that is subjective and can only truly be appreciated by the individual experiencing the pain. With the condition’s complexities, there could be complex brain processes, which are influenced by physical (nociceptive and neuropathic), psychological and environmental factors”.
Critically discuss ‘what is pain?’ and why pain is experienced. What health promotion techniques can patients apply to reduce their perception of pain, and what medication is available to help treat pain? What psychological pain management techniques can also be put in place?
It is expected that your paper will comprise of the following:
- Introduction:
- In this section you will give a brief definition of Long covid and its symptoms in relation to pain AND the concept of pain as an individual, complex and multidimensional phenomenon in relation to the condition.
- Body of Paper:
- Mechanisms of Pain – A basic knowledge of pain physiology is important to be able to appreciate the differences in how people perceive pain and to understand the rationale for pain treatments. Here you need to describe the main processes involved in pain, the main structures involved in pain transmission, transduction, perception and modulation – and recognise how they interact in the pain experience; as well as explore the differences between nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain and the different mechanisms.
- Pharmacological Interventions – Here you will focus on the main medications available to manage pain. You should give attention to the main analgesic medication used to treat pain, giving examples, highlighting the mechanism of action and any secondary effects.
- What health promotion techniques can patients apply to reduce their perception of pain – Here you should explore non-Pharmacological and Psychosocial techniques as important components of effective pain management.
- What psychological pain management techniques can be applied to reduce discomfort and pain perception.
- Conclusion:
- Here the goal is summarising the main points of your discussion and, if appropriate, to draw a final decision or judgement about the points you have been discussing.
(Here you should explore non-Pharmacological and Psychosocial techniques as important components of effective pain management).
