The Revised Definition of Pain and What It Means for Chronic Pain Management
For the first time since 1979, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) introduced a revised definition of pain, the result of a two-year process that the association hopes will lead to improved ways of assessing and managing pain.
The definition is: “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage,” and is expanded upon by the addition of six key Notes and the etymology of the word pain for further valuable context.
- Pain is always a personal experience that is influenced to varying degrees by biological, psychological, and social factors.
- Pain and nociception are different phenomena. Pain cannot be inferred solely from activity in sensory neurons.
- Through their life experiences, individuals learn the concept of pain.
- A person’s report of an experience as pain should be respected.
- Although pain usually serves an adaptive role, it may have adverse effects on function and social and psychological well-being.
- Verbal description is only one of several behaviors to express pain; inability to communicate does not negate the possibility that a human or a nonhuman animal experiences pain.
Development of the Revised Pain Definition
A multi-national, multidisciplinary Task Force developed the revised definition with input from all potential stakeholders, including persons in pain and their caregivers.
The revised definition was introduced in this article in the journal PAIN and via a press release. An infographic also illustrates the changes.
Managing Chronic Pain
Standards of care to manage chronic pain include the development of self-management skills, but for many people, professional guidance is helpful to know what questions to ask, where to go for support and little things you can do to reduce your pain intensity and improve daily functioning.
Many rehabilitation professionals, including occupational therapists, work with individuals to develop strategies that support function, participation, and daily activity despite ongoing pain.
In more complex injury cases, evaluations such as life care planning assessments may also help identify long-term treatment needs, rehabilitation services, and supports required to manage chronic pain and maintain independence.
Additional Chronic Pain Resources
Much of the educational information we provide and reinforce to our clients can be found on the Fraser Health website, Manage Pain. I highly recommend reviewing the relevant subheadings which include: medication usage, support
