Pain Relief Glossary

Acupuncture – Stress relief approach developed by the ancient Chinese. Needles are inserted through the skin at specific places on the body to reduce pain.

Acute pain – Usually due to an injury or surgery, it is pain that begins suddenly.

Analgesics – Type of drug that reduces pain levels. Some are mild and available without a prescription, but stronger ones need a prescription.

Anesthetic – Type of medication that causes a loss of sensation. Commonly given before surgery.

Anti-inflammatory – Medication used to reduce inflammation anywhere in the body.

Arthritis – Painful swelling in any joint in the body.

Bradycardia – Heart rate that is slower than normal heart rate.

Central Pain – Pain experienced due to an injury to the central nervous system

Cervical vertebrae – The seven vertebrae at the top of the spine.

Chronic Pain- Pain that persists after when healing should have occurred. Or, pain that lasts more than three months.

Delirium – Changes in brain function and confusion caused by mental illness, a physical condition or pain.

Delta receptors – Opiod receptors in the brain, peripheral and center nervous systems.

Drowsiness – Tendency to fall asleep during the day or extreme tiredness.

Dynorphin – A naturally produced substance in the brain the regulates levels of pain.

FDA – In the United States, this refers to the Food and Drug Administration. This agency oversees all medications and food for safety and effectiveness.

Hallucination – A perfection of a false reality. Can occur without a stimulus.

Headache – Pain anywhere on the head or face.

Hives – Raised, red bumps on the skin.

Hypothermia – Core body temperature drops below the temperature needed for metabolism.

Ligaments – Tissue that joins two bones together.

Miosis – Contraction of the pupil.

Nausea – A general feeling of malaise in the stomach. May cause vomiting.

Nerve Block – Injecting pain medication around or into a nerve to reduce pain.

Opioids – Chemical that binds to opioid receptors to provide pain relief.

Orthostatic, Hypotension – When the blood pressure before and after each heartbeat is lower than usual.

Overdose – Accidentally or intentionally taking more medication than was prescribed.

Pain – Unpleasant sensation that occurs with or without damage to tissues.

Painkillers – Any drug that is used to relieve or reduce pain.

Pain management – Multidisciplinary way to eliminate, relive or manage pain. Tramadol for pain relief can be used in conjunction with other measures to reduce pain.

Pain medicine – Any drug used to treat chronic or acute pain. The pain reliever tramadol is commonly prescribed for both acute and chronic pain.

Pain Relief – Physical therapy, medication or other treatment used to relieve pain.

Rotator Cuff – Group of four main muscles and their accessory muscles found in the shoulder.

Sciatica – Pain associated with the sciatic nerve. Pain radiates from the hip area down through the leg.

Semi-synthetic opiate/opioid – Pain reliever made from natural opiates.

Side Effects – Undesirable or harmful effect from a medication.

Synthetic opiate/opioid – Man-made opiate. Not made from natural opiates.

Tachycardia – Heart rate that is higher than it should be.

Tramadol – Medication used to treat pain. In the opioid class, tramadol pain relief is the most common reason for prescribing.

Trigger Point – Muscle fibers that are very sensitive. Often used to help diagnose fibromyalgia.

Tumor – Cells in the body that do not grow properly. Can be cancerous or not.

Urinary retention – When a person is not able to urinate properly.

Vomiting – Emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth.