Read the following article: Ambrose, K. R., & Golightly, Y. M. (2015). 12: Physi
ID: 89628 • Letter: R
Question
Read the following article:
Ambrose, K. R., & Golightly, Y. M. (2015). 12: Physical exercise as non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain: Why and when. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 29(Pain in systemic rheumatic diseases), 120-130. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2015.04.022
Initial Discussion Post:
How would you discuss this new alternative with the patient?
Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic. Your initial post must contain a minimum of 250 words. References, citations, and repeating the question do not count towards the 250 word minimum.
Explanation / Answer
Pain is the sensation or the response produced to certain stimuli like heat, cold, burns, injuries , cuts etc.
we have pain receptors every where in the body and the pain signals are received by the spinal cord and transmitted to the brain.
Pain is of two types namely Acute and chronic. In acute pain, the body responds quickly even before the brain receives the pain stimuli. it is shorter in duration and can be lost quickly. Example is the touching of hot or cold surfaces. Medicine used for acute pain include Aspirin, Ibuprofen etc.
Chronic pain is the one which lasts from months to years . Examples include the pain in injury, arthritis, back pain etc.
Medications for treatment of pain include Analgesics and Narcotic opioid drugs which interfere with the pain signals in the central nervous system and helps in relieving the pain.
Drugs like Morphine, codeine etc can be used for the treatment of intense and chronic pain . They act by interfering with the transmission of pain signals or electrical impulses from one brain cell to the other.
These drugs bind with the opioid receptors , there by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals and thus inhibiting the production of substance p which is responsible for pain sensation.
Though these Narcotic drugs are effective in relieving the pain they produce potential side effects like Addiction to the drugs, severe constipation, hallucinations, nausea , heart attacks etc.
Due to these potential side effects , doctors are now suggesting the patients to carry out physical exercise.
Physical exercise is a non pharmacological treatment which means there is no need to take medication.
During physical exercise , Endorphins are released by the body which are also called as natural pain killers.
These Endorphins are the Neurotransmitters which have the potential Analgesic effects equal to that of the morphine, codeine etc.
These Endorphins are also called endogenous opioids released by the pituitary gland of Brain.. They act by binding to the opiate receptors on the presynaptic neurons and inhibiting the secretion of the Substance P and other neurotransmitters responsible for pain sensation.Their action is similar to that of the medicines like Morphine, codeine etc.
These endorphins play a key role in releiving pain .
These Endorphins causes a state of well being to the individsual and helps in maintaining the good health.
Thus the patient can better be suggested for physical exercise rather than medication , to avoid the harmful side effects and to relieve the chronic pain by the release of Endorphins that are released during vigorous physical activity.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.