Gate Control Theory Of Pain Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Gate Control Theory Of Pain?

Gate Control Theory of Pain is a theory that suggests the spinal cord contains a neurological gate which can be opened or closed to control pain signals traveling from the body to the brain. The theory was proposed by Patrick Wall and Ronald Melzack in 1965, and is still widely accepted today.The Gate Control Theory of Pain proposes that there are two types of nerve fibers responsible for carrying pain signals from the body to the brain – A-delta fibers and C fibers. A-delta fibers transmit fast, sharp pain signals, while C fibers transmit slower, duller ones. The gate in this system is thought to be located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, between these two types of nerve cells. It works by opening or closing depending on certain factors such as stimulation from other neurons or chemicals released within the body during states such as stress or relaxation. When open, incoming pain signals can travel up through this gate and into higher levels of processing within the brain (i.e., conscious awareness). When closed, it blocks these same pain signals before they reach consciousness and therefore we do not perceive them as painful sensations. According to this theory, we have some control over whether this gate opens or closes based on our own thoughts and behavio.