Introduction and Thesis Living with daily physical chronic pain is something that is not uncommon in older adults. Contrary to popularly belief, pain is not a normal part of the aging process but somehow a large portion of the elderly population continues to live with daily pain. Chronic pain can result in negativity in multiple aspects of the sufferer’s life including increased rates of depression, poor appetite and sleep and an overall lesser quality of life (Wang & Feinstein, 2011). Although chronic pain is highly prevalent, and most often managed pharmacologically, many persons report dissatisfaction regarding pain management. With chronic pain being so prevalent, it is imperative that patients learn ways to effectively manage pain independently
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Chronic pain in this population has been defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage…for persons who are ager 65 years and older and who have had pain for greater than three months” (Kaye, Baluch & Scott, 2010). A majority of this population endures undertreated pain; it is estimated that 21% between the ages of 65 and 74 years and 26% aged 75 to 84 years live with untreated chronic pain (Kaye et al., 2010). Kaye et al. writes that one study has shown that 66% of nursing home residents have chronic pain, but almost half of these persons pain is not treated either pharmacologically or non-pharmacologically. Non-pharmacological interventions are especially important to teach the elderly because pain-relieving narcotics may cause exaggerated and unwanted side effects (Kaye et al., 2010). Restorative yoga is an easily accessible non-pharmacological intervention that can be taught to individuals and can offer pain relief (Wang & Feinstein, 2011). Restorative yoga, a mind-body intervention, is defined as “a practice of gentle stretching exercises” that has been shown to have the potential to effectively alleviate pain (Posadzki, …show more content…
Taking the elderly population’s developmental and cognitive stage into consideration, this is an appropriate and applicable learning theory as teaching will be directed and guided by the learner. Cognitive theorists place importance on the learner’s goals and expectations, when teaching yoga for pain management it will be of utmost importance to assess what the learner’s goals and expectations are as physical and pain management needs will vary from one person to the next. Cognitive learning theory describes information processing to happen in four stages: attention, processing, memory storage, and action (Bastable, 2014). Using this theory attention will be stimulated by describing yoga as a solution for pain relief and the additional benefits one may gain; processing and memory storage will take place through repetition of yoga poses and routines as well as providing written material; and action will be the final stage in which the learner begins to implement their own routine into their activities of daily
Chronic pain in this population has been defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage…for persons who are ager 65 years and older and who have had pain for greater than three months” (Kaye, Baluch & Scott, 2010). A majority of this population endures undertreated pain; it is estimated that 21% between the ages of 65 and 74 years and 26% aged 75 to 84 years live with untreated chronic pain (Kaye et al., 2010). Kaye et al. writes that one study has shown that 66% of nursing home residents have chronic pain, but almost half of these persons pain is not treated either pharmacologically or non-pharmacologically. Non-pharmacological interventions are especially important to teach the elderly because pain-relieving narcotics may cause exaggerated and unwanted side effects (Kaye et al., 2010). Restorative yoga is an easily accessible non-pharmacological intervention that can be taught to individuals and can offer pain relief (Wang & Feinstein, 2011). Restorative yoga, a mind-body intervention, is defined as “a practice of gentle stretching exercises” that has been shown to have the potential to effectively alleviate pain (Posadzki, …show more content…
Taking the elderly population’s developmental and cognitive stage into consideration, this is an appropriate and applicable learning theory as teaching will be directed and guided by the learner. Cognitive theorists place importance on the learner’s goals and expectations, when teaching yoga for pain management it will be of utmost importance to assess what the learner’s goals and expectations are as physical and pain management needs will vary from one person to the next. Cognitive learning theory describes information processing to happen in four stages: attention, processing, memory storage, and action (Bastable, 2014). Using this theory attention will be stimulated by describing yoga as a solution for pain relief and the additional benefits one may gain; processing and memory storage will take place through repetition of yoga poses and routines as well as providing written material; and action will be the final stage in which the learner begins to implement their own routine into their activities of daily