摘要：Pain is a complex phenomenon situated at the crossroads of neurophysiologic, psychological and sociocultural processes. While pain may be characterized as universal – embracing the entire world of animals or at least superior mammals – the emotional, attitudinal, behavioural or verbal expression of pain among humans varies according to culture and social environment. This article proposes some guidelines for developing an anthropological understanding of pain by questioning the conditions of its integration within the world of medical or paramedical research. This article also questions the capability and the duty that impinge on anthropology to participate and contribute to the development of new approaches in treating disability due to chronic or persistent pain in a context of medical openness toward qualitative methods and research themes that have characterized medical anthropological research until now.
