Functional Pain: A Review
Abstract
Functional pain is a form of chronic pain that does not have a known physical cause. Functional pain is often referred to as psychogenic pain, somatic pain, or psychosomatic pain, and is believed to arise from psychological or emotional distress. This review explores the current research on functional pain and its potential causes, diagnosis, and treatment. The review finds that functional pain is a real, debilitating condition that is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of functional pain and to develop more effective treatments.
Introduction
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic pain is usually defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months or beyond the expected period of healing (American Academy of Pain Medicine, 2017). Chronic pain is often caused by an underlying physical condition, such as arthritis or a back injury, but in some cases, the cause of the pain is unknown or cannot be determined. This type of pain is known as functional pain, and it is often referred to as psychogenic pain, somatic pain, or psychosomatic pain.
Functional pain is a real and disabling condition, but it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. This review will explore the current research on functional pain and its potential causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Definition and Prevalence
Functional pain is a form of chronic pain that does not have a known physical cause (American Academy of Pain Medicine, 2017). It is often associated with psychological or emotional distress, but the exact cause is not yet known. There is no single definition of functional pain, and the term is used to describe a range of conditions (De Souza et al., 2017).
The prevalence of functional pain is difficult to determine, as it is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. However, it is estimated that functional pain affects up to 10% of the population (De Souza et al., 2017).
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of functional pain is not yet known, but it is believed to have a psychological or emotional component. Possible causes include stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (De Souza et al., 2017). It is also believed that certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or avoidance, may increase the risk of developing functional pain (McCracken et al., 2017).
Diagnosis
Functional pain is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. The diagnosis of functional pain is based on a comprehensive medical assessment, which includes a detailed medical history, physical examination, and psychosocial evaluation (De Souza et al., 2017). Imaging tests, such as x-rays or MRI scans, may also be used to rule out other potential causes of the pain.
Treatment
The treatment of functional pain is often challenging, as there is no single, definitive approach. Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, psychological therapies, and lifestyle changes (De Souza et al., 2017). It is important to note that treatment should be tailored to the individual, as what works for one person may not work for another.
Conclusion
Functional pain is a real and disabling condition, but it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is believed to have a psychological or emotional component, and possible causes include stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD. The diagnosis of functional pain is based on a comprehensive medical assessment, and treatment should be tailored to the individual. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of functional pain and to develop more effective treatments.
References
American Academy of Pain Medicine. (2017). What is chronic pain? Retrieved from https://www.painmed.org/patientcenter/facts_on_pain.aspx
De Souza, D. S., Bialosky, J. E., Bishop, M. D., & George, S. Z. (2017). Functional pain syndromes: A review. Physical Therapy, 97(6), 653–660. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzx028
McCracken, L. M., Eccleston, C., & Kalso, E. (2017). Psychological factors in the maintenance of chronic pain: A biopsychosocial perspective. Pain, 158(7), 1232–1239. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000917