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The language of chronic pain
Imogene Munday1, Ian Kneebone1, Toby Newton-John1
1Discipline of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Australia.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|June 8, 2019
Summary
Chronic pain sufferers use rich metaphorical language to describe their experiences, highlighting the complexity of pain. This language is crucial for communication and may inform therapeutic interventions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Rehabilitation
- Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Pain is a universal, subjective experience lacking objective diagnostic tests.
- Patient's reliance on language to convey pain necessitates linguistic analysis.
- Previous research explored pain language, including metaphors and grammar.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the language used by chronic pain sufferers to describe their pain.
- To identify key themes and linguistic patterns in chronic pain narratives.
Main Methods:
- Three focus groups conducted with 16 participants in a chronic pain management program.
- Participants described their pain experiences.
- Thematic analysis was used to analyze the language used.
Main Results:
- Five superordinate themes emerged: Isolation, Physical Sensations of Pain, Pain Personified, Pain as Overwhelming, and Coping with Pain.
- Metaphorical language was prevalent, reflecting pain's complexity and communication needs.
- Participants used metaphors to express the multifaceted nature of their pain.
Conclusions:
- The complexity of pain experience necessitates sophisticated language beyond simple adjectives.
- Patient's pain language, particularly metaphors, is vital for understanding and support in rehabilitation.
- Metaphorical language offers potential targets for therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
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