Gate control theory

Wall, P. D. The gate control theory of pain mechanisms. A re-examination and restatement, Brain 1978, 191, 1-18. 

The gate control theory (Melzack Casey, 1968 Melzack 8c Wall, 1965) was the first model to include psychological factors as an integral aspect of the pain experience. Turk and Flor (1999) describe the significance of the model ... 

The gate control theory describes pain transmission. The gate mechanism that alters the transmission of painful sensations from peripheral nerve fiber to the thalamus and cortex of the brain is located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The thalamus and cortex of the brain are where the body recognizes painful sensations as pain. 

Nonpharmacological pain relief treatments, such as a massage, are based on the gate control theory to ease the patient s pain. 

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