Pain Management Quiz

False
There are a number of treatments for pain, from medications and physical therapy to complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and biofeedback.

All of the above
Pain is not simply a response to unpleasant external stimuli. It may be affected by biological, psychological and social factors. The medical community continues to study how all of these factors are related to pain.

Suffering, sleeplessness and sadness
Experts in pain management refer to suffering, sleeplessness and sadness as the 'terrible triad'. People who develop pain often find that it overwhelms many aspects of their lives.

Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are physicians who specialize in pain management. These physicians make sure that patients do not experience pain during medical procedures. Anesthesiologists are certified as experts in pain medicine.

False
Research has shown that patients who properly use medications for pain management under close physician supervision rarely become addicted to them.

All of the above
Physical therapy, TENS and thermotherapy may be used to reduce pain and improve a patient's ability to perform everyday tasks. Acupuncture is an alternative treatment used by some individuals for pain management.

Cognitive behavior therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is aimed at identifying negative patterns and replacing them with positive ones. It is based on the theory that internal thoughts rather than outside circumstances shape behavior.

8.2 million
Approximately 8.2 million American adults have had acupuncture. In recent years, acupuncture has been adopted by many physicians in Western medicine as added treatment for medical conditions. It is commonly used to treat acute and chronic pain.

All of the above
Electrical therapy appears to block the transmission of pain along nerves. It may also promote the release of endorphins, hormones that reduce pain sensations. Research continues in the area of electrical therapy.