Pain Glossary M-Z

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) --An imaging technique based on a computer analysis of the response of atoms of hydrogen, phosphorous or other elements to a generated magnetic field and radio signal: used to produced electronic images of specific atoms and molecular structures in solids, especially human cells, tissues and organs.

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Metastasis--The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

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Morphine--A bitter crystalline alkaloid extracted from opium, the soluble salts of which are used in medicine as an alalgesic a light anesthetic, or a sedative.

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Musculoskeletal Pain- -Pain originating within the musculoskeletal system, such as pain from arthritic conditions, painful muscle condition, broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons and pain of spinal disc origin.

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Narcotic--Pain relieving drug related in action and structure to the opiates.

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Nerve Block--Pain relief method in which an anesthetic is injected into a nerve.

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Neuritis--Inflammation of a nerve or group of nerves that is characterized by pain, loss of reflexes and atrophy of the affected muscles.

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Neuroablative Therapy --The use of various injectable substances such as alcohol and phenol or the use of controlled heat or cold to tender the nervous system unable to transmit a pain signal.

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Neurology--The branch of medical science which deals with the nervous system, both normal and disease.

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Neuromuscular System- -The muscles of the body together with the nerves supplying them.

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Neuropathic Pain--Any pain originating from the central nervous system, especially pain affecting the cranial or spinal nerves.

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Neuropathy--A disturbance of function or pathologic changes in a nerve: in one nerve, mononeurphathy: in several nerves, mononeuropathy multiplex: if summetrical and bilateral, polyneuropathy.

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Noxious Stimulus--A noxious stimulus is one that is potentially or actually damaging to body tissue.

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Onset of Action-- Length of time it takes for a medicine to start to work.

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Opiate--Pain-killing drug chemically related to opium: also called a narcotic.

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Osteoarthritis--A form of arthritis, occurring mainly in older person, that is chatacterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints.

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Pain--An unpleasant sensory or emotional experience which is primarily associated with tissue damage or described in terms of tissue damage, or both. Pain is a complex perception that takes place only at higher levels of the central nervous system.

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Pain Control--In cases where the pain pathology has no ability to heal despite medical or surgical therapy, intervention pain management takes on the form of "pain control." This can be done by using medications aimed at reducing the ability of the body to transmit the pain signal to the brain or, in more advaned cases, by utilizing an implantable device to alter the ability of the body's nervous system to transmit that pain signal. Other methods rely on the physician's ability to damage nervous tissue in a controlled manner to stop the pain signal.

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Pain Threshold--The least level of pain that a subject can recognize.

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Pain Tolerance Level- -The greatest level of pain that a subject is prepared to tolerate.

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Physical Therapy--The health profession that treats pain in muscles, nerves, joints, and bones with exercise, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy and the use of massage, heat and cold.

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Psychiatry--The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.

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Psychology--The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.

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Radiation Therapy-- Treatment with high energy from x-rays or other sources to kill cancer cells.

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Radiculalgia--Pain along the distribution of one or more sensory nerve roots.

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Radiculopathy--A disturbance of function or pathologic change in one or more nerve roots.

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Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation (RFTC)--A form of neuroablation, this technique utilizes a finely controlled thermal injury at the tip of a needle to render a painful joint, disc or nerve incapable of sending a pain signal. It is most appropriate for chronic pain of intermediate duration such as terminal cancer pain or an injury capable of restoring within that time frame.

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Referred Pain--Pain that is felt in a part of the body at a distance from its area of origin.

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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy--More recently known as CRPS or complex regional pain syndrome, this is a natural reflex of the body that is only present due to some other stimulus. It is frequently treated by blocking the sympathetic nervous system with a local anesthetic injection for temporary pain relief. The goal is to block the nerve repeatedly so that it reduces its intensity and stop reflexively returning to its hyperactive painful state. A more appropriate approach is to identify the underlying stimulus for the sympathetic hyperactivity so that both the underlying cause as well as the sympathetic reflex can be resolved and tha body can be given the opportunity to heal.

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Regional Anesthesia-- The abolition of painful impulses from any region or regions of the body by temporarily interrupting the sensory nerve conductivity. Motor function may or may not be involved, but the patient does not lose consciousness.

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Relaxation Technique- -Methods used to lessen tension, reduce anxiety and manage pain.

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Rheumatism--Any of several pathological conditions of the muscles, tendons joints, bones or nerves, characterized by discomfort and disability.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) --A chronic and prgressive systemic disease, especially common in women, characterized by stiffness and inflammation of the joints and sometimes leading to deformity and disability.

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Skin Stimulation--The use of pressure, friction, temperature change or chemical substances to excite the nerve ending in the skin.

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Somatosensory--Sensory signals from all tissues of the body including skin, viscera, muscles, and joints.

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Suffering--A state of emotional distress associated with events that threaten the bioligical and/or psychosocial integrity of the induvidual.

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Tolerance--Decreasing effect of a drug with the same dose or the need to increase the dose to maintain the same effect.

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Trigger Point--A hypersensitive area or site in muscle or connective tissue at which touch or pressure will elicit pain.