Pain is a multifaceted experience that humans seek to mitigate or eliminate. However, it also serves as a protective signal against potential harm.

It can be categorized into nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain based on its origin. Nociceptive pain, stemming from physical stimuli, occurs when sensory receptors detect physical or chemical triggers and transmit signals to the brain via peripheral nerves (Aδ fibers and C fibers). Neuropathic and psychogenic pain mechanisms are less understood. Additionally, pain can be acute or chronic, depending on its onset and duration.

For individuals, pain is a subjective and emotional experience influenced by various physical, psychological, and cultural factors. Anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, and insomnia typically lower pain thresholds, while empathy, understanding, rest, and redirected attention tend to raise them.

Nurses play a crucial role in pain management, implementing medication regimens as prescribed by physicians and addressing factors that exacerbate or alleviate pain to increase the pain threshold. Effective pain control is central to palliative care.

• Fukai, K. (Ed.). (2004). The challenge of pain for nurses. Health Publishing.
• Fukai, K. (Supervisor). (2006). Utilizing feedback for practice: Evidence of care techniques. Health Publishing.
• Yanagita, H. (1996). Clinical pain science useful for nursing. Japanese Nursing Association Publishing.