Pain, Pain relief, and water.
"Gate Control" Theory of Pain
This theory suggests that the sensations of pain and pleasant touch "compete" for access through a "gate" located in the spinal cord, which regulates the transmission of these signals to the brain.
Large fibers (L): Mediate and respond to pleasant, broad sensations (e.g., wide-area touch).
Small fibers (S): Mediate and respond to pain, often triggered by localized or narrow contact.
When entering water, a pleasant "enveloping" sensation spreads across the skin. The stimulation from motion, the warmth of the water, and the tactile elements of bodywork (applied both along and across the painful area) create parallel sensory inputs. These non-painful inputs suppress pain signals at the mediating neuron level, effectively reducing the transmission of pain information to the brainstem.
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Definition of Pain.
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that often leads to discomfort, suffering, and a reduction in the patient’s quality of life.
Purpose of Pain.
Pain serves as a warning system, signaling potential physical harm. In addition to its physical aspect, pain includes emotional and cognitive components, such as anxiety or stress.
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Pain Transmission Pathway.
Pain signals are transmitted through three primary neurons:
1. Primary neuron: Detects harmful stimuli in the periphery.
2. Secondary neuron: Processes and transmits the information via nerve cells in the spinal cord.
3. Tertiary neuron: Transfers the signal to the brain.
The final processing site is the periaqueductal gray (PAG) region in the brainstem. When activated, this area inhibits pain perception through opioid receptors. The body naturally produces substances such as endorphins and opiates, which act on these receptors to suppress pain. This mechanism allows the body to maintain function and, in some cases, ignore pain altogether during emergencies or stressful situations.
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Pain Assessment.
There is no objective way to measure pain levels. Current methods rely on subjective scales, using numbers, descriptive words, visual aids, or combinations thereof.
The VAS (Visual Analog Scale) is the most commonly used tool, enabling patients to rate the type, intensity, and duration of their pain.
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Chronic Pain.
Chronic pain is pain that persists over an extended period. It can lead to profound physical, emotional, and mental effects, often impairing overall quality of life.
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Pain Classification.
Pain can be categorized into the following types:
Soft tissue and deep tissue pain
Neuropathic pain
Psychogenic pain
Breakthrough (episodic) pain
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