Pain originates from a stimulus. This stimulus is perceived.
by sensory neurons called nociceptors and triggers the
release of chemical substances that excite specialized neurons
in the transmission of pain, through the sensory pathways to the Nervous System
Central. This conduction is done by slow transmission fibers.
(unmyelinated – C5 fibers) and fast-transmitting fibers
(myelinated – A-delta 6 and A-beta 7) to the spinal cord.
In the spinal cord, the painful stimulus travels to the dorsal horn region via a neuron of
second order and makes synapses with third order neurons following the centers
Pain signals originating in the brain need to be understood and located in higher regions of the brain, triggering a reaction to the pain stimulus. This transmission of pain from its stimulus to the central nervous system occurs through what we call the afferent pathway.
After stimulation and conduction, the next step in the pain perception and response process is modulation. This is a mechanism of inhibition or amplification of pain achieved through neurochemical substances such as tachykinins, serotonins, endorphins, and the adrenergic and serotonergic systems.
Modulation allows for the perception of pain, whether it is decreasing (an analgesia process) or increasing, and from this perception, an evaluation and reaction to the painful stimulus is generated by the central nervous system.
Pain – The process of perceiving and managing pain.
Pain – Lesson 02
by Diego Carlos Marquete
To recap:
Pain begins with a stimulus. This stimulus is perceived by different nociceptors.
This process of transforming a noxious stimulus into an action potential by nociceptors is defined as Transduction.
Following a pain stimulus, chemical substances are released that facilitate the transmission of pain by exciting neurons specific to this activity.
The stimulus is conducted through sensory pathways to the CNS in a process called transmission.
Upon reaching the higher centers, it is interpreted and can be amplified or diminished in an event we call pain modulation. This is important for therapeutic intervention .