The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

 
 
Field Value
 
Title The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis
 
Creator Wade, B. L.
 
Subject — chronic low back pain; coping; meaning; phenomenology; health psychology
Description Chronic pain sufferers are frequently misunderstood and stigmatised. The aim of this investigation was to provide a description of the life-world of people with chronic low back pain, using the phenomenological method. Themes which emerged werethat the persistent nature of chronic pain makes it particularlydifficult to endure, arousing a profound fear of the future. Chronic pain causes a disruption in the relationship between the person and the body. The person is forced to function within the constraints of pain and to find ways of coping. Sufferers are unable to fulfil social roles as expected and are forced to revise their goals and activities to accommodate the pain. The distress of their  experience is mediated by the ability to make sense of their condition, finding meaning in the pain itself. This study highlights the value of the phenomenological method in health psychology. Recommendations are made which may be of benefit to people with chronic pain and their families. The multidimensional nature of chronic pain is highlighted and implications for various professionals who work with chronic pain patients are discussed.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2003-01-12
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajp.v59i1.196
 
Source South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 59, No 1 (2003); 10-19 2410-8219 0379-6175
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/196/196
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2003 B. L. Wade https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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