Pain Management Part 2: Pain Types and Etiology

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Video Runtime: 13 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 31 Minutes

The type of pain a patient experiences can frequently assist the clinician in determining the etiology, or cause, of that pain. Pain types are effectively treated very differently, and a thorough pain assessment includes gathering the information needed to determine the etiology and the appropriate treatments.

This course reviews neuropathic, somatic, and visceral pain as well as acute, chronic, and high-impact chronic pain. We will examine the etiology, location, and descriptors used by patients to describe each pain type. With this information, the clinician is better positioned to recommend and advocate for appropriate pain management treatment and help the patient avoid unwanted side effects.

This course is appropriate for any healthcare provider or interdisciplinary team member dealing with patients in pain.

Meet your instructor

Cathleen Armato

Cathleen Armato is an experienced executive with 22 years in the home care and hospice industry. She has served in various roles during that time, including VP of operations and chief compliance officer for a nationwide healthcare provider. In 2012, Cat became a consultant. Since that time, she has assisted multiple…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Understanding Pain Types and Their Relevance to Pain Treatment

This chapter begins with a discussion of the primary pain types and then takes a deep look at neuropathic and nociplastic pain. We will examine central and peripheral causes of these pain types as well as the descriptors used by patients that alert us to these pain types. Finally, we will examine central sensitization, including causes and effects.

2. Nociceptive Pain

In Chapter 2, nociceptive pain is thoroughly reviewed. Nociceptive pain is divided into somatic and visceral, and these pain types are important in determining appropriate treatments. We will examine causes, descriptors used by patients, and location of these pain types.

3. Acute, Subacute, Chronic, and High-Impact Chronic Pain

This chapter examines the differences in the timeline of acute, subacute, and chronic pain. It also examines high-impact chronic pain and its effects on the patient and healthcare system. Understanding this timeline may assist the clinician in determining appropriate treatment modalities.

More courses in this series

Pain Management Part 1: Foundational Information

Cathleen Armato