Background: Pain is a universal experience that everyone will experience throughout their lifetime. However, chronic pain lasting beyond normative tissue healing time is not normal and should be addressed as such. Pain neuroscience education is utilized by physical therapists to treat patients struggling with chronic pain by educating them on neurobiological and neurophysiological mechanisms of pain. Case Description: The patient is a 26-year-old male who presented to an outpatient physical therapy clinical with a referral for neck pain, back pain, fatigue, and pain in unspecified joint. The patient reported high pain ratings and was notable limited in spine range of motion as well as decreased strength globally. The patient also demonstrated positive special tests for meniscal pathology and imaging revealed a torn ACL and meniscus on his right knee. Intervention: In addition to traditional therapies including exercise and manual techniques, PNE was utilized throughout this patient’s plan of care. Education included pain mechanisms, central sensitization, increased sensitivity, reconceptualizing pain constructs, and the impact of the biopsychosocial model. Outcomes: The patient demonstrated improvements in all range of motion and strength at the conclusion of this episode of care. Functional outcome measures of the NDI and ODI demonstrated statistically significant decreases as well. Discussion: Traditional therapies utilized in conjunction with intentional PNE can improve patient function, reduce pain, and positively impact healthcare utilization by decreasing expenditure. This case report also analyzes the impact of patient personal beliefs and preconceived notions of pain and how PNE can assist in reconceptualizing pain to effectively treat the patient and improve patient outcomes.
Dissertation
Application of Pain Neuroscience Education to a Patient with Multiple Chronic Pain Sites: A Case Report
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2023
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Application of Pain Neuroscience Education to a Patient with Multiple Chronic Pain Sites: A Case Report
- Creators
- Tyler Colgan - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Shauna Dudley-Javoroski (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 9 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2023 Tyler Colgan
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984560248602771
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