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The Normal Response to Pain

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Deer's Treatment of Pain

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Abstract

The “normal” response to pain, from nociceptor activation to the ensuing adaptive behavioral response, is a multidimensional, often nonlinear experience that has evolved to improve an individual’s likelihood for survival through an intricate system designed for protection, preservation and restoration, and prevention of future harm. This is made possible by a system of modulation by peripheral, spinal, brainstem, and cortical processes that undergo predictable and functional changes over time to reduce the potential for long-term harm from an injury or illness. The complex central nervous system processing of pain, as well as the presence and extent of ongoing peripheral input, determines an individualized response pattern during recovery and plays a prominent role in the persistence of pain and resulting physical or psychological impairments. Improving outcomes related to persistent pain will require continued investments in better understanding of the individual-, social-, cultural-, and provider-related factors that lead to chronic impairment and suffering due to persistent pain.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Randall P. Brewer

  2. Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA, USA

    Randall P. Brewer

  3. River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, Shreveport, LA, USA

    Randall P. Brewer

Authors
  1. Randall P. Brewer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Randall P. Brewer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Spine and Nerve Center of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA

    Timothy R. Deer

  2. Evolve Restorative Center, Santa Rosa, CA, USA

    Jason E. Pope

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Tim J. Lamer

  4. Pain Diagnostics and Interventional Care, Sewickley, PA, USA

    David Provenzano

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© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

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Brewer, R.P. (2019). The Normal Response to Pain. In: Deer, T., Pope, J., Lamer, T., Provenzano, D. (eds) Deer's Treatment of Pain. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12281-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12281-2_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-12280-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-12281-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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