The psychophysiology of pain: a literature review - DOI: 10.3395/reciis.v2i1.133en

Abstract

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage”. The sensory aspect of pain is associated with the transmission of the painful impulse called nociception. The emotional aspect, on the other hand, is related to the behavioral responses to pain. Pain warns us about some impending danger, protecting our organism and indicating limits. Besides inducing physical anomalies, pain can interfere with the psychological equilibrium of the individual. This literature review about the psychophysiology of pain aims to elucidate the ways of action of this phenomenon and its relation with behavioral alterations. The management of pain is based on its etiology, physiopathology and repercussions. In addition to the use of analgesics and adjuvants, the therapy should include non-pharmacological tools such as physiotherapy and rehabilitation as well as psychotherapeutic procedures.

Keywords

• Pain
• nociception
• psychophysiology
• perception