Clinical Aspects of Pain

Objectives

The aim of this curricular unit is to extend student's knowledge and understanding of the current concepts related with pain sciences. At the end of this unit the students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the neurophysiology of pain, pain theories, the influence of the psychosocial factors in the maintenance of pain and disability.

General characterization

Code

MF04

Credits

Responsible teacher

Prof. Doutor Fernando Manuel Pimentel dos Santos

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese / English

Prerequisites

Bibliography

Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell. Principles of Neural Science, 4^th ed. McGraw-Hill Medical (2000).

Neugebauer, V. The amygdala: different pains, different mechanisms. Pain 127 (2007) 1-2 [11 refs.].

Brooks, JCW, Tracey, I. The insula: a multidimensional integration site for pain. Pain 128 (2007) 1-2 [22 refs].

Sindrup, SH, Jensen, TS. Are sodium channels blockers useless in peripheral neuropathic pain? Pain 128 (2007) 6-7 [9 refs].

Butler DS, Moseley GL. (2003) Explain Pain. Noigroup Publication. Adelaide City West, South Australia.

Main CJ & Spanswick CC (2000) Pain Management. An interdisciplinary approach, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

Teaching method

Teaching and learning strategies include lectures and seminars, case based clinical scenarios and self-directed learning.

Evaluation method

The assessment methods include a multiple choice written test of 1-hour length (75%) and a group work followed by a public discussion (25%).

To complete this curricular unit the students must have a classification of a minimum of 50% in both curricular unit assignments.

Subject matter

· Pain Neurophysiology;

· Pain clinics in Portugal;

· Central and Peripheral mechanisms of pain perception and pain control;

· Multidisciplinary pain management;

· Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to treatment;

· The development of chronic pain: Definitions and the problem of diagnosis;

· Mechanisms of chronic pain: The Bio-Psycho-Social model of pain;

· Pain management and Physiotherapy.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught:

Master in Physiotherapy Muscle Skeletal Conditions