Mechanism of Pain

Pain is a vital function of the human body that involves nociceptors and the central nervous system (CNS) to transmit messages from noxious stimuli to the brain. The mechanism for neuropathic pain is distinct, as it is caused by injury to the nervous system itself and can occur without the presence of noxious stimuli.

How does your brain respond to pain? - Karen D. Davis

Nociceptors

Nociceptors are sensory receptors that are responsible for detecting harmful or noxious stimuli and transmitting electrical signals to the nervous system. These receptors are present in the skin, viscera, muscles, joints, and meninges to detect a range of stimuli, which may be mechanical, thermal, or chemical in nature.

There are two main types of nociceptors, which include C-fibers and A-delta fibers. C-fibers are the most common type and are slow to conduct and respond to stimuli. As the proteins in the membrane of the receptor convert the stimuli into electrical impulses that can be carried throughout the nervous system. Comparatively, A-delta fibers are known to conduct more rapidly and convey messages of sharp, momentary pain.

Additionally, there are silent nociceptors that are usually unresponsive to stimuli but can be “awoken” with high-intensity mechanical stimuli in response to chemical mediators in the body.

Nociceptors may have a variety of voltage-gated channels for transduction that lead to a set of action potentials to initiate the electrical signaling into the nervous system. The excitability and behavior of the cell depend on the types of channels present in the nociceptor.

It is important to distinguish between nociception and pain when considering the mechanism of pain. Nociception is the normal response of the body to noxious stimuli, including reflexes below the suprathreshold that protect the body from harm. Pain is only perceived when the superthreshold, which is relatively high, for the nociceptors reach an action potential and initiate the pain pathway.

CNS

The nociceptors conduct the electrical signaling message to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where a complex array of neurons are involved in the synaptic connections that process nociception and pain. There is not a single pathway that is responsible for the generation of pain in the CNS, but a combination of pathways are involved in the propagation of signals to the cerebral cortex.

The perception of pain results from processing the electrical signals in various regions of the brain. This explains the varied responses and emotional reactions when an individual experiences pain.

Neuropathic pain mechanism

The mechanisms that lead to the development of persistent neuropathic pain are more complex than nociceptive pain and should therefore be thought of as distinct.

Neuropathic pain occurs primarily as a result of injury to the nerves involved in the pain pathways in the nervous system, leading to an alteration in the way pain is processed. This usually causes increased pain signal transmission, to the extent that innocuous stimuli may cause a sensation of pain.

Hyperalgesia is a type persistent inflammatory pain that involves increased excitability and nervous response to noxious stimuli, leading to higher sensitivity to pain.

There are also certain psychological factors that can influence the experience and extent of pain, known as modulatory influences. These include stress, fear, and anxiety. It is widely believed that high levels of these factors can initiate, worsen, or even prolong episodes of pain in susceptible individuals.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jan 11, 2023

Sally Robertson

Written by

Sally Robertson

Sally first developed an interest in medical communications when she took on the role of Journal Development Editor for BioMed Central (BMC), after having graduated with a degree in biomedical science from Greenwich University.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Robertson, Sally. (2023, January 11). Mechanism of Pain. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 08, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Mechanism-of-Pain.aspx.

  • MLA

    Robertson, Sally. "Mechanism of Pain". News-Medical. 08 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Mechanism-of-Pain.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Robertson, Sally. "Mechanism of Pain". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Mechanism-of-Pain.aspx. (accessed October 08, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Robertson, Sally. 2023. Mechanism of Pain. News-Medical, viewed 08 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Mechanism-of-Pain.aspx.

Comments

  1. muhammad babar muhammad babar Islamic Republic of Pakistan says:

    why 2 individuals respond differently for same painful stimulus? whit is the mechanism?

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Long COVID patients maintain robust immune memory two years after infection