How does the perceived pain differ between the three pain pathways? Visceral pain is more vague in onset and location than the other types of pain. It is typically perceived as a dull pain. Somatic pain is often sharp, intense, and localized. Referred pain is perceived at a location that is distant from the inciting …
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What are the three afferent relays that mediate perception of abdominal pain? • Visceral, or splanchnic, pathway • Somatic, or parietal, pathway • Referred pathway Visceral abdominal pain is produced by stimulation of nociceptors located in the walls of the abdominal viscera. Somatic abdominal pain is produced by stimulation of nociceptors located in the parietal peritoneum and intraabdominal …
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Chronic Pelvic Pain What is chronic pelvic pain? By definition, it is pain that is located in the lower abdominal or groin region. It is noncyclical in nature. It has been present for more than 3 to 6 months and is not exclusively associated with intercourse or menstruation. Twenty-five percent of adult-community-living women have issues …
Are there any alternative therapeutic options for the treatment of myofascial syndrome? Pregabalin and duloxetine are examples of oral drugs, indicated for other disease states, that can be used with benefit in the treatment of myofascial syndrome. A number of topical options also exist. These include topical capsaicin, glyceryl trinitrate (which has a localized antiinflammatory …
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What drugs have recently been added to the list of medications used in the symptomatic treatment of fibromyalgia? Although only pregabalin, milnacipran, and duloxetine have received a specific indication for use in the treatment of fibromyalgia, a number of others have recently been used in increasing volumes. These include centrally acting α 2 adrenergic agonists such as …
Are there any factors that can precipitate the onset of fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia can occur without any identifiable precipitating factors. However, it seems that it can also be initiated by trauma (e.g., surgery, childbirth, accident, severe infection, severe emotional strain, sexual abuse) and can then be classified as “posttraumatic fibromyalgia.
What is the “spray and stretch” technique? The spray and stretch technique is based on the theory that trigger points located in taut muscle bands are the principal cause of pain in fibromyalgia and in myofascial pain syndrome. A taut band in the muscle is identified, and then a vapo-coolant spray (ethylchloride or fluoromethane) is …