Scribd
Upload
192 views2 pages

Gate Theory of Pain

The Gate Control Theory of Pain proposes that pain signals in the spinal cord can either be accentuated and sent to the brain to perceive pain, or attenuated by closing a "gate" in the spinal cord. This gate can either be open, allowing pain signals to pass through to the brain, or closed, restricting these signals from reaching the brain and being perceived as pain. Applying a soothing stimulus alongside a painful one can help activate the gate mechanism and reduce the amount of pain felt by closing the gate.

Uploaded by

Samriti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
192 views2 pages

Gate Theory of Pain

The Gate Control Theory of Pain proposes that pain signals in the spinal cord can either be accentuated and sent to the brain to perceive pain, or attenuated by closing a "gate" in the spinal cord. This gate can either be open, allowing pain signals to pass through to the brain, or closed, restricting these signals from reaching the brain and being perceived as pain. Applying a soothing stimulus alongside a painful one can help activate the gate mechanism and reduce the amount of pain felt by closing the gate.

Uploaded by

Samriti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

The Gate Control Theory of Pain is a mechanism, in the spinal cord, in

which pain signals can be sent up to the brain to be processed to accentuate


the possible perceived pain, or attenuate it at the spinal cord itself. [1]

The 'gate' is the mechanism where pain signals can be let through or
restricted. One of two things can happen, the gate can be 'open' or the gate
can be 'closed': [1]

• If the gate is open, pain signals can pass through and will be sent to
the brain to perceive the pain. [1]
• If the gate is closed, pain signals will be restricted from travelling
up to the brain, and the sensation of pain won't be perceived. [1]
If someone experiences a painful (noxious) stimulus, the application of a
non-noxious (soothing or light rubbing) stimulus can help activate the gate
control mechanism, and reduce the pain. [2]

There are also other factors which can help facilitate the pain gate
mechanism in reducing the perceived pain. These will be further outlined
below.

The pain gate mechanism is located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord,
specifically in the Substantia gelatinosa.

• A-β fibers, large diameter fibers, have a quick transmission of


impulses, due to their myelination [1] - these type of fibers are
activated by non-noxious stimuli, such as light touch, pressure, and
hair movement. [4]
• A-δ fibers, a smaller diameter fiber [1] - they are thinly myelinated,
and are stimulated by noxious stimuli, such as pain and
temperature, specifically sharp, intense, tingling sensations. [4]
• C fibers, similar to A-δ fibers, have the slowest transmission of
impulse since they are not myelinated [1] - these type of fibers are
activated by pain and temperature, namely prolonged burning
sensations. [4]
If the interneurons in the substantia gelatinosa are stimulated by the non-
noxious large diameter A-β fibers, an inhibitory response is produced and
there are no pain signals sent to the brain, and in this instance the 'pain gate'
is closed.

When the interneurons are stimulated by the smaller diameter A-δ or C


fibers, an excitatory response is produced. In this case, pain signals are sent
to the brain, these can be modulated, sent back down through descending
modulation, and perceived as varying amounts of pain. [1][3]

You might also like