Abstract
The pastoral counselor often interviews patients suffering from chronic pain. Many of them express religious notions about their suffering. This article examines some traditional concepts of pain and types of religious interpretations, and proposes appropiate roles for the pastoral counselor.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brena, S., “The Mystery of Pain: Is Pain a Sensation?” In Brena, S. F., and Chapman, S. L., eds.,Management of Patients With Chronic Pain. New York, S. P. Medical & Scientific Books, 1983, pp. 1–9.
Crue, B. L., “The Neurophysiology and Taxonomy of Pain.” InManagement of Patients With Chronic Pain, op. cit., pp. 21–31.
Oates, W. E.,The Religious Care of the Psychiatric Patient. Philadelphia, The Westminister Press, 1978.
Oates, W. E., personal communication, 1984.
Melzack, R.,The Puzzle of Pain. New York, Basic Books, Inc., Publishers, 1973.
Oates,—op. cit.,, 1978.
Tunks, E., “Psychiatric Management of Chronic Pain,” In Roy, R., and Tunks, E., eds.,Chronic Pain: Psychosocial Factors in Rehabilitation. Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins, 1982, pp. 179–212.
Shader, R. I., ed.,Manual of Psychiatric Therapeutics: Practical Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry. Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1982.
Shelton, J. L., and Ackerman, J. M.,Homework in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Examples of Systematic Assignments for Therapeutic Use by Mental Health Professionals Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1974.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Wayne E. Oates, Th.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the program in ethics and pastoral counseling (University of Louisville School of Medicine); and the Reverend Isaac Njuguna Kuria, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Humana Hospital University, Chaplain's Office, for their review of the manuscript and suggestions.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Conwill, W.L. Chronic pain conceptualization and religious interpretation. J Relig Health 25, 46–50 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533052
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533052