PAIN Why do people perceive pain differently? Pain is a combination of bottom up processing and top down processing. 2 types of fibers in the spinal cord –Small nerve fibers carry pain signals –Large fibers carry other sensory information

Gate Theory Activity 4 Stations: at each stage, hold the frozen balloon in either hand for two minutes. Rate the amount of pain you experience. Switch hands so you don’t fully “numb” your hand. Stations: 1.Music – while holding the balloon, listen to music. (POD) 2.TV – while holding the balloon, watch the movie. 3.Tactical – while holding the balloon, have your partner give you a shoulder massage (POD). 4.While holding your balloon, stare at your hand.

Pain Gate-Control Theory –theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass on to the brain –“gate” opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers –“gate” closed by activity in larger fibers or by information coming from the brain

Gate-Control Theory Unlike an actual gate, the "gate" in the spinal cord operates by differentiating between the types of fibers carrying pain signals. Pain signals traveling via large nerve fibers are allowed to pass through, while signals sent by small nerve fibers are blocked. Gate control theory is often used to explain phantom or chronic pain.