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The Gate Control Theory of Pain
The Gate Control Theory
The way in which we experience pain is very complex. All sorts of factors influence our experience, including our thoughts and feelings.
For example, you will probably be aware that there are times when, even though you have pain, you are only dimly aware of it. This can happen, for example, when you are really engrossed in doing something interesting or having to face a situation which demands all your attention. A very good example of this are the stories you might have heard about wounded soldiers, who despite being seriously injured will continue in battle and not really be aware of much pain until after the danger has passed.
On the other hand, you will probably be aware of how in some circumstances your pain can feel much worse. Indeed, you may find that the more you think about your pain, the worse it can feel.
Nerves from all over the body run to the spinal cord, which is the first main meeting point for the nervous system. In the spinal cord, you might imagine a series of gates into which messages about pain arrive from all over the body.
These gates can sometimes be much more open than at other times. This is important because it is through these gates that messages from your body pass towards your brain. If the gates are more open, then a lot of pain messages pass through to the brain and you are likely to experience a high level of pain. If the gates are more closed, then fewer messages get through and you are likely to experience less pain.
So, what are the factors that make a difference to how open or closed the gates are?
Factors that open the gate
There are three main ways in which the gates to pain can be made more open, so that the pain feels worse. These are to do with how we feel about things, how we think about things, and what we are doing.
1. Stress and Tension All sorts of emotional states can lead to the gates to pain being more open. These include being anxious, worried, angry, and depressed. Having a lot of tension in the body is a common way of opening the pain gates.
2. Mental Factors One of the most effective ways of opening the gates and increasing your pain is to focus all your attention on it. Boredom can also lead to the pain gates opening.
3. Lack of Activity Another factor that seems to open the gates to pain is to not move around, to have stiff joints and to lack fitness.
Factors that close the gate
In the same way as above, the way we feel, the way we think and what we do can all have a part to play in helping to close the gates to pain.
1. Relaxation and Contentment Feeling generally happy and optimistic has been found to help to close the gates to pain. Also, feeling relaxed in yourself seems to be a particularly useful way of closing the gates. 2. Mental Factors Being involved and taking an interest in life helps to close the gates. Also if you concentrate intensely on something other than the pain (e.g. work, T.V., book), then this can distract you from any pain, helping to close the gates. 3. Activity Taking the right amount of exercise, so that you develop your fitness,
GATE CONTROL EXERCISE
List below some of the physical and mental factors that seem to open and close your “gate” to pain
Factors That Open My Gate to Pain
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Factors That Close My Gate to Pain
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