Post by donq on Aug 4, 2022 2:07:34 GMT
I always wonder about (physical) pain mechanisms. If it's literally mechanical or psychological?
Below are some interesting information about pain I read:
HOW WE FEEL PAIN
Pain messages travel from the site of injury to the brain. It is a complex physiological process. A pain message is transmitted to the brain by specialized nerve cells known as nociceptors, or pain receptors (pictured in the circle to the right). When pain receptors are stimulated by temperature, pressure or chemicals, they release neurotransmitters within the cells. Neurotransmitters are chemical ‘messengers’ in the nervous system that facilitate communication between nerve cells.
Once the brain has received and interpreted the pain message, it coordinates an appropriate response. The brain can send a signal back to the spinal cord and nerves to increase or decrease the severity of pain. For example, the brain can signal the release of natural painkillers known as endorphins. Alternately, the brain can direct the release of neurotransmitters that enhance pain or hormones that stimulate the immune system to respond to an injury. Recent research has shown that people possess differing amounts of these neurotransmitters, possibly explaining why some people experience pain more intensely than others. Furthermore, recent studies have found that genetic makeup can influence an individual’s sensitivity to pain.
In other words, "although the alarm messages that we perceive as pain usually start in the part that hurts, this is not where we actually feel pain. Instead, pain is felt in the brain...If this seems strange, consider that many amputees feel 'phantom' pain in the missing limb, long after it has been removed. Consider also that some pain does not even originate from where we feel the hurt. Pain messages arising from local areas, and traveling along nerves to the spine and from there to the brain, can be re-routed, so that the pain is felt somewhere else altogether. This is known as reflex, or referred, pain. For example, angina pain is felt in the left arm (and other areas) but derives from distress in heart muscles."
..........................
As for me, I believe that relieving pain has something to do with psychological factor. And that's why the placebo effect, hypnosis (whether medical or not), meditation, relaxation, to name but a few, really help to relieve pain? Somehow, these psychological methods help to increase or decrease the severity of pain by handling with endorphins?
It's difficult for me to understand its physical mechanisms, so I'll stick to psychological one instead.
Below are some interesting information about pain I read:
HOW WE FEEL PAIN
Pain messages travel from the site of injury to the brain. It is a complex physiological process. A pain message is transmitted to the brain by specialized nerve cells known as nociceptors, or pain receptors (pictured in the circle to the right). When pain receptors are stimulated by temperature, pressure or chemicals, they release neurotransmitters within the cells. Neurotransmitters are chemical ‘messengers’ in the nervous system that facilitate communication between nerve cells.
Once the brain has received and interpreted the pain message, it coordinates an appropriate response. The brain can send a signal back to the spinal cord and nerves to increase or decrease the severity of pain. For example, the brain can signal the release of natural painkillers known as endorphins. Alternately, the brain can direct the release of neurotransmitters that enhance pain or hormones that stimulate the immune system to respond to an injury. Recent research has shown that people possess differing amounts of these neurotransmitters, possibly explaining why some people experience pain more intensely than others. Furthermore, recent studies have found that genetic makeup can influence an individual’s sensitivity to pain.
In other words, "although the alarm messages that we perceive as pain usually start in the part that hurts, this is not where we actually feel pain. Instead, pain is felt in the brain...If this seems strange, consider that many amputees feel 'phantom' pain in the missing limb, long after it has been removed. Consider also that some pain does not even originate from where we feel the hurt. Pain messages arising from local areas, and traveling along nerves to the spine and from there to the brain, can be re-routed, so that the pain is felt somewhere else altogether. This is known as reflex, or referred, pain. For example, angina pain is felt in the left arm (and other areas) but derives from distress in heart muscles."
..........................
As for me, I believe that relieving pain has something to do with psychological factor. And that's why the placebo effect, hypnosis (whether medical or not), meditation, relaxation, to name but a few, really help to relieve pain? Somehow, these psychological methods help to increase or decrease the severity of pain by handling with endorphins?
It's difficult for me to understand its physical mechanisms, so I'll stick to psychological one instead.
