DISEASES AND CONDITIONS

Understanding the Pain Response

October 08, 2017

Understanding the Pain Response

Your pain is important. It can slow healing and keep you from being active. You may have acute or chronic pain. Both types of pain respond to treatment. Work with your healthcare professional. Together you can find relief.

Types of pain

Acute pain is caused by a health problem or injury. The pain usually goes away when its cause is treated. You may have pain:

  • From an illness or injury that needs emergency care

  • After an operation, such as heart surgery

  • During and after the birth of your baby

Chronic pain lasts 3 to 6 months or more. It can be caused by a health problem or injury, like arthritis or a shoulder strain. Chronic pain can also exist without a clear cause.

Your perception of pain

Pain is a complex phenomenon that involves many of the chemicals found naturally in the spinal cord and brain. All pain signals travel to the brain. The brain sends back signals to protect the body. The brain also makes its own painkillers (endorphins). These can help reduce the pain.

Outline of human figure showing brain and spinal cord. Arrows show pain signals to and from brain.

  1. Pain starts in 1 or more parts of the body. In some cases, the site of the pain is far from its source.

  2. Pain signals move through nerves and up the spinal cord.

  3. The brain reads the signals as pain. Natural painkillers are released.

  4. The feeling of pain can be reduced in this way.

Updated:  

October 08, 2017

Sources:  

Apkarian, AV. Pain and the Brain: Specificity and Plasticity of the Brain in Clinical Chronic Pain. Pain (2011); 152(3); pp. s49-s64

Reviewed By:  

Image reviewed by StayWell medical illustration team.,Moe, Jimmy, MD,Taylor, Wanda, L., RN, PhD