The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis
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 part...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2003-01-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Physiotherapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/196 |
| _version_ | 1818216907483906048 |
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| author | B. L. Wade |
| author_facet | B. L. Wade |
| author_sort | B. L. Wade |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T06:59:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e528e41313f46768af654208c3febb4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0379-6175 2410-8219 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T06:59:26Z |
| publishDate | 2003-01-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Physiotherapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e528e41313f46768af654208c3febb42022-12-22T00:33:53ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Physiotherapy0379-61752410-82192003-01-01591101910.4102/sajp.v59i1.196196The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysisB. L. Wade0Department of Psychology, University of South AfricaChronic 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.https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/196chronic low back paincopingmeaningphenomenologyhealth psychology |
| spellingShingle | B. L. Wade The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis South African Journal of Physiotherapy chronic low back pain coping meaning phenomenology health psychology |
| title | The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis |
| title_full | The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis |
| title_fullStr | The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis |
| title_short | The meaning of chronic pain: a phenomenological analysis |
| title_sort | meaning of chronic pain a phenomenological analysis |
| topic | chronic low back pain coping meaning phenomenology health psychology |
| url | https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/196 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT blwade themeaningofchronicpainaphenomenologicalanalysis AT blwade meaningofchronicpainaphenomenologicalanalysis |