Overview
The current understanding of pain mechanisms, including nerve physiology, modulation, central nervous system changes in pain states, and chronic pain states with implications for treatment mechanisms.
Understanding pain neurobiology and other physiological systems involved in the human experience of pain helps with diagnosis, managing painful disorders and explaining aspects of pain in the clinic. This paper will extend students' understanding of pain neurobiology as it applies to clinical presentations and informs treatment.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pain Neurobiology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Pain and Pain Management |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,644.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- MSME 704 or PAIN 710
- Restriction
- PAIN 701
- Limited to
- MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPhty, MPhty
- Eligibility
Appropriately qualified health professionals, including medical practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, osteopaths or physiotherapists.
- Contact
Post Graduate Administrator
Divisional Services and Administration
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel +64 21 279 1423
Email msmandpainstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
Paper Coordinator: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
- Paper Structure
PAIN 713 consists of eight modules, covering topics that include:
- Review of nociception and fundamental neurobiological processes
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Post-surgical pain
- Neurobiology of nonpharmacological therapies in pain
- Visceral (pelvic) pain
- Nociplastic pain mechanisms
- “Top down” cortical and descending processes
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
Material is delivered electronically and is distance taught. There are eight fortnightly online teaching sessions.
- Textbooks
There is no single textbook for this paper. Readings will be provided for students to access via the Library, with additional readings and other multimedia material provided via Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will have developed an in-depth understanding of current scientific progress in pain neurobiology and the impact of these findings on clinical practice and understanding in the area of human pain experience.
- Assessment details
This paper is internally assessed, giving students an opportunity to explore topics relevant to their practice. There is no end of semester examination.