In the gate control theory, the experience of pain depends on a complex interplay of these two systems as they each process pain signals in their own way. Upon injury, pain messages originate in nerves associated with the damaged tissue and flow along the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and on up to the brain.
Full Answer
What is gate control theory and why is it important?
Gate control theory is also used to explain why massage and touch can be helpful pain management strategies during childbirth. Because touch increases large fiber activity, it has an inhibitory effect on pain signals. The theory is even used to explain the benefits of dance and music for relieving labor pain. 6
What is the pain gate control theory?
One popular idea is called the pain gate control theory. The pain gate control theory states that "gates" allow certain stimuli to pass through neural pathways to your brain. Non-noxious stimuli, the ones that don't make you feel pain, pass through the "pain gate" and then help close the gate so painful stimuli cannot reach your brain.
What is Melzack and wall's gate control theory?
While gate control theory does not explain every aspect of how people experience pain, Melzack and Wall's theory was the first to consider the psychological factors that influence the perception and experience of pain. Initially, there was resistance to the theory, but over time it has helped transform approaches to pain management.
How do nerve gates work?
How Gate Control Works Following an injury, pain signals are transmitted to the spinal cord and then up to the brain. Melzack and Wall suggest that before the information is transmitted to the brain, the pain messages encounter "nerve gates" that control whether these signals are allowed to pass through to the brain.
What is gate control theory?
The gate control theory posited that afferent inputs from large-diameter (non-nociceptive) and small-diameter (nociceptive) afferent fibers synapse onto a transmission cell (T cell) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which sends projections to the brain.
What is Melzack and Wall's gate control theory?
Melzack and Wall's gate control theory, presented in 1965, predict ed a possible effect on pain transmission from stimulation of different parts of the nervous system. This has also turned out to be a powerful tool for pain control.
Which part of the spinal cord acts as a gate?
Briefly, the gate control theory proposes that a mechanism in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord acts as a ‘gate’ that can inhibit or facilitate transmission of nerve impulses from the periphery to the brain.
Who developed the gate control theory of pain?
The gate control theory of pain (Fig. 7.1) was developed by Melzack and Wall in 1965 and is the most influential, comprehensive, and adaptive conceptualization of pain and its consequences to date.
Which theory postulates that the nervous system can be inhibited at the level of the substantia ge?
Gate control theory . This theory postulates that the nervous stimuli can be inhibited at the level of the substantia gelatinosa and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord from reaching the thalamus and cerebral cortex ( Melzack & Wall 1983 ).
What is gate control theory?
The gate control theory posited that afferent inputs from large-diameter (non-nociceptive) and small-diameter (nociceptive) afferent fibers synapse onto a transmission cell (T cell) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which sends projections to the brain.
How did gate control change everything?
For the first time, scientists, psychologists, and physicians were presented with an elegantly simple explanation of how pain could be produced or blocked in the periphery.
How much is the reduction in nerve conduction velocity?
Reduction in Nerve Conduction Velocity. Nerve conduction velocity has been shown to be reduced by as much as 30% following typical cryotherapy treatments. 5,32,75 Slower conduction would translate into a diminished sensation of pain.
Who developed the gate control theory of pain?
The gate control theory of pain (Fig. 7.1) was developed by Melzack and Wall in 1965 and is the most influential, comprehensive, and adaptive conceptualization of pain and its consequences to date.
What are the three systems that converge to affect the way in which pain is perceived?
Gate control theory suggests that there are three systems that converge to affect the way in which pain is perceived, namely, sensory-discriminative, motivational-affective, and cognitive-evaluative.
What happens when you bang your toe?
Your brain then interprets what has happened to your poor toe. Based on your current location (in the shower) and your previous experiences there (you've stubbed your toe on that silly door jamb before), your brain knows what happened and the noxious stimulus that occurred as a result of banging your toe is felt as pain.
How does the pain gate work?
That is how the pain gate theory works: Apply a non-noxious stimulus to your body that closes the gate and does not allow the painful stimulus to enter your brain.
Why is pain so difficult to sense?
But pain can be tricky, because pain may be sensed by your brain when there is no actual emergency or potential harm to your body. The sensation of pain is complex, and other factors besides nerves sending signals to your brain may be at play.
What is the best way to control pain?
Scientists have many different theories about pain and the best ways to get control of your pain. One popular idea is called the pain gate control theory. The pain gate control theory states that "gates" allow certain stimuli to pass through neural pathways to your brain. Non-noxious stimuli, the ones that don't make ...
What does it mean when you feel a hot stove?
When something that may harm your body, like a hot stove or a sharp knife, comes in contact with specialized nerves, pain may be felt. This alarm tells your brain that something dangerous may be happening to your body and that prompt attention should be given to the painful stimulus to protect your body against the problem.
Why do I feel pain in my body?
Thus, the feeling of pain in your body is multi-factorial: it occurs as a result of all of your past experiences and future expectations mashing into each other in your complex brain.
How do non-noxious stimuli affect the brain?
Non-noxious stimuli, the ones that don't make you feel pain, pass through the "pain gate" and then help close the gate so painful stimuli cannot reach your brain. Therefore, you may be able to decrease or eliminate pain that you are feeling by allowing only "safe" and non-noxious stimuli through the gate to your brain.
What is the gate control theory of pain?
The gate control theory of pain revolutionized how pain is understood and how physicians and other healthcare professionals treat and explain pain to their patients. Developed by psychologists Ronald Melzack and neuroscientist Patrick David Wall in 1965, the gate control theory challenged more than three centuries of dogma about how pain works, such as the degree of tissue damage is a reflection of how intense the pain is. It was built upon by several key theories in the 19th and early 20th centuries that questioned the existing notion about pain. In 1989, Melzack expanded the gate control theory with the neuromatrix theory of pain, which includes the affective and cognitive factors that make up our pain experience.
How does the neural gate work?
This system works like a gate, which can be opened wide to increase the flow of neural messages in from the external stimulus or be closed to decrease these messages. If the painful stimulus is intense and frequent enough, it may open the “gate” and the messages are relayed to the brain where it is processed in the thalamus and the somatosensory cortex as pain. If the gate is closed, then these messages are blocked and—theoretically speaking—no pain is felt.
Why do external impulses travel through the gate?
Depending on the stimulus and how our brain responds to that stimulus, certain external impulses will be allowed through the “gate” and travel to the brain while others do get to travel there because the gate is closed. Even if the brain receives these impulses, our thoughts, emotions, and other psychological factors process whether the information is a threat or not. If it is dangerous, then we may experience pain which changes our behavior and triggers actions to avoid that danger.
Which pathway detects pain, touch, and temperature?
The spinal thalamic pathway, which detects pain, touch, and temperature, consists of C fibers and A-delta fibers, which goes directly from the dorsal horns to the thalamus on the same side of the spinal cord and brain. However, this explanation is incomplete because the brain also gets to decide how the transmissions from ...
Where does pain go in Descartes' theory?
Earlier theories, such as the summation theory and intensity theory of pain, were already moving away from the Descartes’ specificity of pain, where pain sensation is a linear process that goes from pain receptors in the skin to the brain . These theories focus away from the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord where gate control theory evolved.
Which theory recognizes psychological aspects that influence our pain experience?
Therefore, the gate control theory is the first theory that recognizes psychological aspects that influence our pain experience.
What is pain?
Pain is defined as a subjective perception of discomfort experienced by individuals in negative situations. In spite of the aversive connotation that characterizes it, pain fulfills fundamental functions for survival. For example, it is the motivational factor that pushes a subject to remove the hand from the fire when it burns.
Gate Control Theory: How does pain work? How do we perceive it?
A very common mistake established in popular culture is to think that pain is generated in the tissues where the threat or aggression has taken place.
The Gate Control Theory
The Gate Control Theory, formulated by Melzack and Wall in 1965 states that non-painful stimuli close the doors to painful stimuli by preventing the sensation of pain from traveling through the central nervous system. Therefore, this theory is based on the assertion that non-harmful stimulation is capable of suppressing pain.
Factors influencing the Gate Control Theory
There are factors that influence the perception of the individual, which serve to facilitate the ability of the individual to open or close the door to pain.
Why do topical analgesics block pain signals?
As explained earlier, greater activity from large-diameter nerve fibers activates the inhibitory cells in the dorsal horn, thereby blocking pain signals. Given that these nerve fibers show greater response to touch, pressure and vibration, it seems clear that treatments that capitalize on these inhibitory responses will blunt pain signals.
What are some examples of topical analgesics?
An example of one such treatment is the application of topical analgesics, such as those that include menthol, camphor, lidocaine, salicylate, and capsaicin (either individually or. in combination), which have been shown to have many beneficial analgesic properties. 4.
What happens if the gate is closed?
If this neurological gate is open, the pain signals are perceived by the brain as more intense. Conversely, if the gate remains closed, or only partially open, the pain is perceived as less intense. 2,3. Gate control works through a combination ...
How long does pain last in the body?
Unfortunately, the mainstream health care system is clearly failing those who suffer pain, particularly chronic pain (usually defined as daily pain lasting at least three months). Most patients start with over-the-counter (OTC) pain remedies before turning to their regular doctor.
What is the gatekeeper of pain?
The gatekeeper. For many years, pain perception was measured by the intensity and degree of tissue damage, regardless of patients’ prior experience with similar pain. In 1965, a landmark study was published forwarding the theory that there is a mechanism by which the nervous system acts as a gatekeeper to determine which pain signals to send to ...
Which nerve fibers impede inhibitory cells?
Activity from thin-diameter nerve fibers impedes inhibitory cells, allowing the transmission cells to fire and pass the pain signal along.
How does gate control work?
Gate control works through a combination of both thin- and large-diameter nerve fibers. Thin- diameter fibers carry information about pain, and large-diameter fibers transfer information about touch, pressure and vibration. 2,3
History
- In 1965, researchers Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall published a paper outlining the gate control theory of pain.1The purpose was to help explain how mental states impact the perception of pain, either reducing or increasing pain sensations. Melzack and Wall suggested that this process exp…
How Gate Control Theory Works
- Following an injury, pain signals are transmitted to the spinal cord, then up to the brain. Melzack and Wall suggest that along the way, pain messages encounter nerve gates that control whether these signals are allowed to pass through. In some cases, the signals are passed along more readily and pain is experienced more intensely. In other instances, pain messages are minimize…
Impact of Gate Control Theory
- Melzack and Wall's gate control theory prompted additional research in this area and contributed to the development of new therapeutic approaches. These impacts were beyond what the pair expected. They noted in 1982: "Fortunately, the theory came at a time when the field was ripe for change."5 Melzack and Wall further noted that the gate metaphor for pain perception served as …
How to Use Gate Control to Reduce Pain
- The gate control theory suggests that finding ways to close the gate between the spinal cord and brain may help reduce pain. There are several strategies you can use to do this.7 1. Focus on something else. Have you ever been in pain, then noticed that the pain decreased while talking to a friend on the phone or when watching your favorite TV show? Finding a way to distract yoursel…
Potential Pitfalls of Gate Control Theory
- While it is one of the most influential theories of pain perception, gate control is not without problems. Many of the ideas suggested by Melzack and Wall have not been substantiated by research, including the very existence of an actual gating system in the spinal cord. Plus, not everyone is convinced that the gate control theory of pain is valid. Some suggest that the theory …
A Word from Verywell
- While gate control theory does not explain every aspect of how people experience pain, Melzack and Wall's theory was the first to consider the psychological factors that influence the perception and experience of pain. Initially, there was resistance to the theory, but over time it has helped transform approaches to pain management.