Theories Of Pain Flashcards
What are the four important theories of pain?
Specificity, intensity, pattern and gate control theories of pain
What is the specificity theory?
Pain is a specific sensation with specific pain receptor which transmit signals to a pain centre in the brain where pain is perceived. Doesn’t account for a wide range of psychological factors
What is the intensity theory?
Pain occurs when a stimulus was sufficiently intense.
Describe the pattern theory?
The sensation of pain was due to a particular pattern of nerve impulses
What is the gate control theory?
Concept that there is a gate in the dorsal horn (spinal cord) which can be open or closed to pain information
What is the neuromatrix theory about?
Pain is not affected by just the sensory input but also the activity of the nervous system, experiences and expectation which are integrated in the cognitive, affective and sensory perceptions of pain
Why does gentle massage of an aching limb help to reduce the pain?
Stimulating the large diameter so the large touch goes to the brain, rather than the small pain
The interneurone will inhibit the T neurone by releasing inhibitory peptides called?
Natural opioids (endorphins, hormones)
Natural opioids inhibit the flow of pain in 2 ways?
1) blocks the release of substance P by pain fibres
2) blocks the receptors for substance P on the T neurone
According to the gate control theory of pain, activation of which fibres close the gate?
A beta fibres
Natural opioids such as enkephalins, inhibit the flow of pain information by?
Inhibiting substance P secretion by pain fibres and blocking receptors for substance P on the T neurone
According to the neuromatrix theory of pain, pain is?
A multidimensional experience incorporating cognitive, affective and sensory perceptions
