3.3.1—Types and theories of pain

3.3.1 Types and theories of pain.

• functions of pain; types of pain: acute and chronic pain. Focus on phantom limb pain and mirror treatment to include a case study, e.g. MacLachlan et al. (2004).
• theories of pain: specificity theory, gate control theory.
• Relevant issues and debates and methodology for this topic include: individual and situational explanations, nature versus nurture, reductionism versus holism, determinism versus free-will, case study.

This matters because —types and theories of pain determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —types and theories of pain to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Types and theories of pain is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.