Theory and practice of pain control in malignancy and otecer protracted or recurring painful illnesses

Abstract

Abstract Recent neuroanatomical and neurophysiologica1 experimental data suggest absence or presence of pain and changes in pain intensity as expressions of the balance between sensory (peripheral) and central (centrifugal) inputs at synaptic stations. Psychological activities by contributing to the centrifugal input influence conduction, transduction, and perception of pain stimuli. Hypnotically induced analgesia and anesthesia are therefore acceptable as neurophysiological realities. Methods for hypnotic alterations of pain based upon these premises are described. They utilize neurophysiological mechanisms, psychodynamic changes, establishment of new behavioral patterns, or changes in time-space concepts and percepts. A series of case presentations iuuStrates some of these multiple psychological and physiological approaches to pain control.