A capsule history of pain management.
Pain is a complex clinical problem. Assessment depends on verbal report, and the patient's physical perceptions may be modified by cognitive and affective factors. The salience of pain as a problem in its own right has grown since 1945 and new therapeutic alternatives have developed from research and from new theoretical perspectives. This short historical review of the highlights of the history of pain management gives particular emphasis to the 20th century and to chronic and cancer pain.
Meldrum
Marcia L
ML
Department of History, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90095-1473, USA. mlynnmel@earthlink.net
D000700:Analgesics / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D059408:Pain Management; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy; D012106:Research
D000700:Analgesics; D009294:Narcotics