Reign of Pain from Coursera

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Syllabus

Understanding pain

Welcome to Module 1, "The Reign of Pain Lies Mainly in the Brain: Applying New Concepts in Neuroscience to Chronic Painful Conditions," presented by Howard Schubiner, MD. Throughout this course, our primary objectives are to expand your understanding of pain, particularly chronic pain, and its connection to the brain. Our exploration begins with "The Experience of Pain," where we delve into the profound aspects of pain, including its reality, intensity, and its relationship with injuries. We'll also examine historical data from the Beecher study to broaden our perspective. In "How the Brain Works: Predictive Processing," we'll uncover the brain's role in shaping our sensory experiences, from sight and sound to touch. We'll explore how the brain anticipates and reacts to our environment, sometimes sacrificing accuracy for efficiency. Lastly, in "What is Pain?" we'll delve into the necessity of pain as a protective mechanism, its brain-generated nature, and its role as an alarm system. We'll consider how the brain can produce a range of symptoms, even in response to non-physical threats.Throughout these modules, you'll engage in quizzes, reflective exercises, and readings, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the brain's influence on pain. So, let's embark on this enlightening journey into the intriguing world of pain and neuroscience. "The reign of pain lies mainly in the brain: Applying new concepts in neuroscience to chronic painful conditions." –Howard Schubiner, MD March, 2023.

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Explores the brain's role in pain perception and management, which is highly relevant to understanding chronic pain conditions

Emphasizes the connection between neural circuits, emotions, and pain

Provides practical knowledge and strategies for addressing chronic pain, which can be helpful for individuals seeking relief

Taught by Howard Schubiner, MD, who is a renowned expert in chronic pain management

Covers topics that are relevant to healthcare professionals, such as pain assessment, diagnosis, and treatment

The course title accurately reflects the content and objectives, which can be helpful for learners who are looking for specific information about chronic pain

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reign of Pain with these activities:

Watch a video tutorial on pain reprocessing therapy

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Watching a video tutorial on pain reprocessing therapy will introduce you to a promising new approach to treating chronic pain.

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Search for a reputable video tutorial on pain reprocessing therapy
Watch the video and take notes on the key concepts
Discuss the video with a friend or colleague

Review your knowledge of pharmacology

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Reviewing your knowledge of pharmacology will help you better understand the role of medications in chronic pain management.

Browse courses on Pharmacology

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Use a medical textbook or online resources to review the principles of pharmacology
Focus on the pharmacology of pain medications
Identify the different classes of pain medications and their mechanisms of action

Review anatomy of the nervous system

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Reviewing the anatomy of the nervous system will build a stronger foundation for understanding the role of neural circuits in chronic pain.

Browse courses on Neural Circuits

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Use a medical textbook or online resources to review the structure and function of the nervous system
Focus on the anatomy of the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves
Identify the major divisions of the nervous system and their functions

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Complete a pain assessment

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Completing pain assessments will help you develop the skills necessary to accurately assess and diagnose chronic pain conditions.

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Review the principles of pain assessment
Use a pain assessment tool to practice assessing patients
Compare your assessments with those of experienced clinicians

Attend a support group for individuals with chronic pain

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Attending a support group will provide you with an opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges and learn from their experiences.

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Find a local support group for individuals with chronic pain
Attend the group regularly
Participate in discussions and share your own experiences

The Body Keeps the Score

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This book provides insights into the connection between trauma, stress, and chronic pain.

View The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key concepts
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague
Apply the principles of the book to your own experiences

Develop a patient education sheet on chronic pain management

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Creating a patient education sheet will help you synthesize your knowledge of chronic pain management and communicate it effectively to patients.

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Gather information on chronic pain management from reliable sources
Organize the information into a logical and easy-to-understand format
Write the patient education sheet in clear and concise language

Develop a personalized pain management plan

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Developing a personalized pain management plan will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to your own life and improve your own health and well-being.

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Set specific goals for your pain management plan
Identify the different strategies that you will use to achieve your goals
Create a schedule for implementing your plan
Track your progress and make adjustments as needed
Evaluate the effectiveness of your plan and make changes as needed

Career center

Learners who complete Reign of Pain will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Neuroscientist

A Neuroscientist studies the nervous system, focusing on the brain and spinal cord, and how they control thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Neuroscientists may conduct research to better understand the brain or work in clinical settings to diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system. A course on Reign of Pain can be helpful to someone in this career because it provides a comprehensive understanding of the brain, how it works, and how it connects to the rest of the body and outside forces.

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Medical Doctor

Medical Doctors diagnose and treat disease and injuries and develop treatment plans for patients. While Medical Doctors generally specialize in a specific medical area, the knowledge of a variety of medical conditions is crucial. A course on Reign of Pain can help Medical Doctors broaden their medical understanding and better understand conditions that other specialists treat, like Neurologists and Pain Physicians.

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Medical Writer

A Medical Writer creates written content for a variety of audiences, including healthcare professionals and patients. They may write about new medical discoveries, clinical trials, and new treatments. A course on Reign of Pain can provide a Medical Writer with a better understanding of the scientific research behind the latest pain management treatments, which can help them to write more informative and engaging content.

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Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and help patients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect their physical and mental health. Understanding the mind-body connection is essential for a Clinical Psychologist, and a course on Reign of Pain may help them better understand the neural network connections between thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

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Neurologist

A Neurologist studies the brain and nervous system and focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Disorders that a Neurologist typically treats include seizures, strokes, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Thorough understanding of the brain and nervous system is essential for success in this career field. Knowledge gained from a course on Reign of Pain can provide a better understanding of how different parts of the brain work and how that relates to neurological pain.

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Pain Physician

A Pain Physician is responsible for managing pain through therapies, medication, and interventional procedures. This role is highly specialized, and the work can be challenging and complex. A course on Reign of Pain can help future Pain Physicians understand the underlying mechanisms of pain and how pain is perceived and processed by the brain. This is especially important in cases where the underlying cause of a patient’s pain cannot be easily diagnosed, requiring more sophisticated interventions.

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Occupational Therapist

An Occupational Therapist helps patients improve their ability to perform everyday activities and tasks. This may involve teaching patients new ways to do things, providing them with adaptive equipment, or helping them to develop coping mechanisms for pain. A course on Reign of Pain can help an Occupational Therapist better understand the challenges faced by patients with chronic pain and develop more effective strategies for helping them.

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Physical Therapist

A Physical Therapist helps patients restore movement and function after an injury or illness. They may use a variety of techniques, including exercise, massage, and electrical stimulation. A course on Reign of Pain can help a Physical Therapist better understand the underlying mechanisms of pain and how to develop more effective treatment plans for their patients.

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Chiropractor

A Chiropractor is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats neuromusculoskeletal conditions that affect the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. They use spinal adjustments and other manual therapies to improve function and reduce pain. A course on Reign of Pain can be helpful for a Chiropractor as it can help them better understand the underlying mechanisms of pain and how to treat it through manual interventions.

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Massage Therapist

A Massage Therapist uses massage to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to promote relaxation and relieve pain. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain is essential for a Massage Therapist to perform their job effectively. A course on Reign of Pain can help a Massage Therapist better understand how the body responds to pain and how to use massage as a treatment.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data and uses their findings to answer questions and solve problems. While Data Science can be applied across a wide variety of fields, one in particular is the field of healthcare. A course on Reign of Pain can be beneficial for Data Scientists in the healthcare sector as it can help them better understand the data they’re analyzing and identify trends that could have otherwise been overlooked.

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Nurse

A Nurse provides care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. A Nurse helps patients manage their illnesses and injuries and provides emotional support to patients and their families. A course on Reign of Pain can be helpful for a Nurse as it can help them better understand the pain their patients are experiencing and develop more effective ways to manage their pain.

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Yoga Instructor

A Yoga Instructor teaches yoga poses and breathing techniques to students. Yoga is often used as a form of exercise and stress relief, but it can also be used to manage pain. A course on Reign of Pain can help a Yoga Instructor better understand the mechanisms of pain and how yoga can be used to relieve it.

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Pharmacist

A Pharmacist dispenses prescribed medications and provides information on drug interactions, side effects, and proper usage. They also provide support and advice on managing medications and improving overall health and wellness. A course on Reign of Pain can be useful for a Pharmacist as it can help them better understand the medications they dispense and how they affect the nervous system and how pain is perceived.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

A Pharmaceutical Sales Representative promotes and sells pharmaceutical products and services to healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. To succeed in this role, a deep understanding of the drugs being sold is essential. A course on Reign of Pain can help a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative better understand the medications they sell and how they affect the nervous system and how pain is perceived.

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Reign of Pain

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