Physiotherapy in Pain Management

At the end of this course, the students are expected to: 1. describe the anatomy and physiology of pain and pain transmission; 2. explain what pain modulation is and enumerate physiotherapy modalities for pain modulation; 3. discuss the mechanism of pain and the general principles that guides pain management in physiotherapy; 4. use clinical judgment and reflection to identify and select pain modulation techniques that could benefit patient and to minimize errors and enhance patient/client pain outcomes; 5. demonstrate developing level of care skills in managing patients with intractable pain; and 6. use clinical judgment and reflection to identify, monitor, and enhance clinical reasoning to minimise errors and enhance patient/client outcomes in managing pain.

Pain as a fifth vital signs. ramifications of pain including physical, pathological, emotional, social, psychological, financial, spiritual and many others. Philosophy of pain, current understanding of mechanisms of pain. mechanism of pain sensation and theories on pain modulation including gate control theory, endogenous opiates theory. Pain assessment and tools including unidirectional and multi-dimensional scales. Principle of pain management in physiotherapy. Types of treatment- pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic. The role of the physiotherapist in the holistic assessment and management of pain.