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Pain management: Definitions of glossary terms Go to Glossary termsA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z -A- Ablative surgery Surgical procedures performed on peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, the brain or brain stem that relieve pain by permanent disruption of nerve pathways. Acupressure An ancient Chinese treatment based on the theory that chi, or vital energy, circulates in the body along energy pathways, or meridians, linked to different organ systems. Finger pressure is used on acupoints to stimulate and rebalance energy, and to treat ailments such as tension, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. Acupuncture A technique similar to acupressure, except that fine needles are inserted at specific at specific points along the meridians just under the skin to stimulate, disperse, and balance the flow of energy, relieve pain, and treat a variety of chronic, acute, and degenerative conditions. Addiction A primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. (Definition from A consensus document: Definitions related to the use of opiods for the treatment of pain, The American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 2001) Adjuvant analgesic drug A drug that is not a primary analgesic but that research has shown to have independent or additive analgesic properties. Aikido A Japanese martial art, Aikido is both a method of self-defense and a spiritual discipline, Its goal is to harmonize one's chi with that of the opponent, so that the thrust of the opponent's strength is turned back toward him or her. Anxiolysis Sedation or hypnosis used to reduce anxiety, agitation or tension. Anxiolytic Medication used to reduce anxiety, agitation or tension. Aromatherapy Essential oils extracted from plants are either inhaled or absorbed directly through the skin to calm emotions and harmonize moods. It is also used as a supportive treatment for respiratory problems, skin disorders and immune deficiencies. Back to top -B- Behavioral techniques A coping strategy in which patients are taught to monitor and evaluate their own behavior and to modify their reactions to pain. Biofeedback training A method that teaches how to consciously regulate unconscious body processes such as breathing, blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate, to relieve pain and stress-related conditions including asthma, hypertension, and migraine headaches. Breakthrough pain Intermittent exacerbation of pain that can occur spontaneously or in relation to specific activity. Breathwork In a variety of techniques, patterned breathing is used to promote physical, mental, and/or spiritual wellbeing. Back to top -C- Chi Kung (Qi Gong) An ancient Chinese exercise system that uses breath, movement and meditation to enhance the flow of vital energy in the body. Cognitive reappraisal A coping strategy in which patients are taught to monitor and evaluate negative thoughts and replace them with more positive thoughts and images. Conscious sedation "Light sedation" during which the patient retains airway reflexes and responses to verbal stimuli. Counterirritant An agent that is applied to produce irritation at tone site so as to decrease perception of pain at the same or a distant site. Cryoanalqesia The destruction of peripheral nerves by extreme cold to achieve prolonged pain relief. Cryotherapy The therapeutic use of cold to reduce discomfort, limit progression of tissue edema, or break a cycle of muscle spasm. Crystals Crystal-based technologies such as electronic circuitry, computers, and laser beams, now used in medical diagnostic equipment and surgical techniques, have revolutionized conventional medicine. CAT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, mammograms, laser surgery and microsurgery are commonplace today. Newer applications are in development, including Kirlian photography to capture subtle energy emanating from the physical body (the aura), and sonic imagers to graphically display the vibrational tones emitted by the body in illness and health. Back to top -D- Deafferentation pain Pain due to loss of sensory input into the central nervous system, as occurs with avulsion of the brachial plexus or other types of lesions of peripheral nerves or because of pathology of the central nervous system. Distraction The cognitive strategy of focusing attention on stimuli other than pain or negative emotions that accompany pain. Dysesthesia An unpleasant abnormal sensation, whether spontaneous or evoked. Back to top -E- Electromagnetism A form of energy that comes form an electric charge in motion, electromagnetism is used in medicine to relieve muscle aches, suppress pain, stimulate knitting of broken bones, pulverize kidney stones, and more. To heal broken bones, specialized electrodes that create a weak electromagnetic field are applied externally across a plaster cast of fracture site and worn during sleep for weeks or months until x-rays show complete healing. EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetic) An ointment that contains local anesthetics so that topical application causes local anesthesia without the need for injection. Energy field work Therapies in which practitioners seek to restore proper circulation and balance of the energy field in and around the client's body, to relieve stress and promote healing. Treatment may involve physical laying-on of hands. Epidural Situated within the spinal canal, on or outside the dura mater (tough membrane surrounding the spinal cord); synonyms are "extradural" and "peridural." Equianalgesic Having equal pain killing effect; for example, morphine sulfate 10mg intramuscular is generally used for opioid analgesic comparisons. Back to top -F- Feng Shui This ancient Chinese practice configures work or home environments in ways that promote health, happiness, and prosperity. Furniture, colors, and structures are arranged to enhance the healthy flow of chi. Flower remedies Popularized by Edward Bach, MD, in the 1930s; flower essences are distilled from plants and trees, then taken in solution to relieve negative emotional states thought to prevent healing. Back to top -G- Guided imagery This relaxation and stress-reduction technique uses positive thoughts and images to relieve pain, slow the heart rate, and stimulate the body's healing responses. Back to top -H- Homeopathy A medical system based on the principle that "like heals like," homeopathy uses highly diluted solutions of natural substances from plants, animals and minerals-called "remedies" — to stimulate the body's healing responses. Hyperpathia A painful syndrome characterized by increased reaction to a stimulus, especially a repetitive stimulus, as well as an increased threshold. Hypnotherapy Refers to techniques that bypass the conscious mind and use altered mental states to facilitate behavioral, emotional, or attitudinal change, to treat stress, phobias, and therapeutic side effects, and to promote healing. Back to top -I- Iatrogenic Induced inadvertently by the medical treatment of procedures of a physician. Incident pain See "movement-related pain." Intrapleural Situated between the membrane surrounding the lungs and the membrane lining the thoracic cavity. Intrathecal Within a sheath (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid that is contained within the dura mater). Back to top -J- Jin Shin Jutsu An Oriental system for harmonizing the flow of chi by releasing trapped energy, reducing stress, and restoring energy balance. Back to top -L- Lancinating Characterized by piercing or stabbing sensations. Light and color therapy Controlled exposure to sunlight, full-spectrum, ultraviolet, colored or laser light as a treatment for chronic pain and depression, or to stimulate the immune system. Local nerve block Infiltration of a local anesthetic around a peripheral nerve so as to produce anesthesia in the area supplied by the nerve. Back to top -M- Magnetic therapy Also known as magnetic field therapy, it involves the use of magnets and electromagnetic devices to generate controlled magnetic fields useful in medical diagnosis and treatment. Meditation Refers to techniques that focus the mind and promote a state of calmness so that the mind and body can be brought into greater harmony to facilitate health and healing. Mixed opioid agonist-antagonist A compound that has an affinity for two or more types of opioid receptors and blocks opioid effects on one receptor type while producing opioid effects on a second receptor type. Movement-related pain A type of breakthrough pain that is related to specific activity, such as eating, defecation, socializing, or walking. Also referred to as "incident pain." Mucositis Inflammation of a mucous member. Oral mucositis is a common complication of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Myofascial pain A large group of muscle disorders characterized by the presence of hypersensitive points, call "trigger points", within one or more muscles and/or the investing connective tissue together with a syndrome of pain, muscle spasm, tenderness, stiffness, limitation of motion, weakness, and occasionally autonomic dysfunction. Back to top -N- Neurolytic block The injection of a chemical agent to cause destruction and consequent prolonged interruption of peripheral somatic or sympathetic nerves, or in some cases, the neuraxis. Neuropathic pain Pain that arises from a damaged nerve; pain that results from a disturbance of function or pathologic change in a nerve; in one nerve mononeuropathy; in several nerves, mononeuropathy multiplex, if diffuse and bilateral, polyneuropathy. Nociception The process of pain transmission; usually relating to a receptive neuron for painful sensations. NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) Aspirin-like drug that reduces pain and inflammation arising from injured tissue. Back to top -O- Opiate receptor Opiate-binding sites found throughout primary afferents and the neuraxis. Opioid agonist Any morphine-like compound that produces bodily effects including pain relief, sedation, constipation, and respiratory depression. Opioid partial agonist A compound that has an affinity for and stimulates physiological activity at the same cell receptors as opioid agonists but that produces only a partial (e.g., submaximal) bodily response Back to top -P- Pain threshold level The level of intensity at which pain becomes appreciable or perceptible. Palliative therapy A procedure or treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery that is performed to relieve or ease pain. Paradoxical reaction A response (e.g., to a drug) that is the opposite of the usual response, such as agitation produced in an individual patient by a drug normally considered to be a sedative. PCA (patient controlled analgesia) Self-administration of an analgesic by a patient instructed in doing so; usually refers to self-dosing with intravenous opioid (e.g., morphine) administered by means of a programmable pump. Peridural Synonym for "epidural" and "extradural." Perineural Surrounding a nerve. Physical dependence A state of adaptation that is manifested by a drug class specific withdrawal syndrome that can be proced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug, and/or administration of an antagonist. (Definition from A consensus document: Definitions related to the use of opiods for the treatment of pain, The American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 2001) Progressive muscle relaxation A cognitive-behavioral strategy in which muscles are alternately tensed and then relaxed in a systematic fashion. Pseudoaddiction Pattern of drug-seeking behavior of pain patients receiving inadequate pain management that can be mistaken for addiction. Pseudotolerance Pseudotolerance is the need to increase dosage that is not due to tolerance, but due to other factors such as: disease progression, new disease, increased physical activity, lack of compliance, change in medication formulation, drug interaction, addiction, and deviant behavior. When a once-fixed opioid dose is no longer effective, the above conditions should be reviewed to exclude pseudotolerance. (Definition from The concept of pseudotolerance to opiods, M. Pappagallo, J Pharm Care in Pain & Symptom Control, 1998.) Psychosocial intervention A therapeutic intervention that uses cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and supportive interventions to relieve pain. There include patient education, interventions aimed at aiding relaxation, psychotherapy and structured or peer support. Back to top -R- Reiki An ancient Tibetan healing system in which light hand placements channel healing energies to the patient. Used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, it assists the patient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity. -S- Sound therapy The therapeutic use of sound and music to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and promote healing. Suffering A state of distress associated with events that threaten the intactness of a person. Back to top -T- Tactile strategies Strategies that provide comfort through the sense of touch, such as stroking or massage. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) A method of producing electroanalgesia through electrodes applied to the skin. Tolerance A common physiologic result of chronic opioid use; it means that a larger dose of opioid is required to maintain the same level of analgesia. Note: tolerance can sometimes be confused with progression of the cause of pain. Back to top -Y- Yoga An ancient practice for bringing body and mind into harmony using meditation, physical postures, breathing, and exercise. Back to top Go to Glossary terms |
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