Acute Pain.Com

Part of the gate control theory described above is the observation that pain is a direct function between large diameter nonnociceptor nerves that sent pain inhibiting signals down the spinal chord and thin nociceptor nerves that sent pain signals up the spinal chord. It can be stated that the more active the thin nociceptor nerves are getting compared to their fat neighbors in the spinal chord, the more pain we feel. It logically works the other way as well: the more active large diameter nonnociceptor nerves are getting compared to their thin pain transmitting brothers, the more is pain being reduced.

As a consequence we can finally state: pain is exclusively “produced” in the brain. If the brain for whatever reason “decides” that a certain pain sensation is “unwanted” or “unwarranted” the brain is able to activate the large nonnociceptor nerves in the spine and inhibit pain signals coming up there accordingly.

So this way the gate control theory finally provides us with a model to understand why people from various cultures are able to perceive different kinds of pain in a different way. It also explains in a straightforward medical way why mental techniques like meditation or yoga indeed can help to suppress pain.

In all these cases it seems we have people who either have a different conception of pain, have learnt to control certain brain functions or both. As soon as pain signals set in they can command parts of their brain to produce pain-suppressing signals.

The gate control theory finally even explains why also hypnosis – recently very much in demand for anesthesia – really does work: it activates brain functions that usually are not submitted to an individual’s own will.