Chapter 10 – Pain
In this chapter we explore what is meant by pain, the survival value of acute pain and the debilitating impacts of chronic pain. Early theories of pain are outlined, along with their deficiencies that have led to the development of theories that recognise the psychosocial and cultural aspects of pain. The experiences of pain are explored in relation to gender identity, sexual orientation and within Indigenous groups. Different ways of measuring pain are outlined, along with the importance of determining the cultural relevance of measures. Finally, various pain management strategies are considered, including the cultural specificity and co-design when developing pain management programmes.
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Chapter 10 – Key Readings
These readings have been chosen by the author to support and enhance the chapter material.
Boerner, K. E., Chambers, C, T., Gahagan, J., Keogh, E., Fillingim, R. B., & Mogil, J. (2018). Conceptual complexity of gender and its relevance to pain. Pain 159(11), 2137-2141, https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001275
Craig, K. D., Holmes, C., Hudspith, M., Moor, G., Moosa-Mitha, M., Varcoe, C., & Wallace, B. (2020). Pain in persons who are marginalized by social conditions. Pain, 161(2), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001719
Gaspar Fernandes, L., Davies, C., Jaye, C., Hay-Smith, J., & Devan, H. (2025). “We do not stop being Indigenous when we are in pain”: An integrative review of the lived experiences of chronic pain among Indigenous peoples. Social Science & Medicine, 373, 117991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117991
Moayedi, M., & Davis, K. D. (2013). Theories of pain: from specificity to gate control. Journal of Neurophysiology, 109(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00457.2012
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Chapter 10 – Video Resources
There is no video resources for this chapter.
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Chapter 10 – Reflective Questions
These questions are designed to prompt deeper thinking about the ideas and themes presented in this chapter.
- Outline the differences between acute and chronic pain, how might chronic pain affect an individual’s daily life?
- How do factors such as gender and ethnicity influence an individual’s experience or expression of pain?
- How have various models of pain influenced our understanding of the multidimensional nature of pain?
