Zeitschrift für Schmerztherapie und Medizin

Abstrakt

New Understanding of Psychosomatic Pain

Gösta Alfvén,E Andersson

For better understanding and better care of psychosomatic pain valid and reliable diagnostic criteria is a prerequisite. The startle reflex is of importance for the understanding of the stress induced pain and the increased excitability in several muscles. The pattern of increased muscular tension and tenderness that can be found in these patients can be of valuable diagnostic support. Decreased oxytocin and increased cortisol is a sign of right brain dominance in stress and indicate psychosomatic pain. The omega-3 and omega-6 changes are an indication metabolic pain mechanism of interest to further study. Treatment is recommended to be guided by the knowledge here described.