Gate Control Theory and the Brain

Gate Control Theory and the Brain Psychotherapy Print Gate Control Theory and the Brain By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on December 01, 2019 Sandro Di Carlo Darsa/PhotoAlto/Getty Images More in Psychotherapy Online Therapy In order to explain why our mental states impact pain perceptions, researchers Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall proposed what is known as gate control theory during the early 1960s. This theory suggests that the spinal cord contains a neurological gate that either blocks pain signals or allows them to continue on to the brain. Researchers have long observed that factors such as thoughts, emotions, and expectations can influence our perceptions of pain. If you expect something to hurt, it probably will hurt worse. If you are upset or frightened, pain may seem more intense than it would if you were calm. Unlike an actual gate, which opens and closes to allow things to pass through, the gate in the spinal cord operates by differentiating between the types of fibers carrying pain signals. Pain signals traveling via small nerve fibers are allowed to pass through while signals sent by large nerve fibers are blocked. Gate control theory is often used to explain the phantom or chronic pain. How Gate Control Works Following an injury, pain signals are transmitted to the spinal cord and then up to the brain. Melzack and Wall suggest that before the information is transmitted to the brain, the pain messages encounter nerve gates that control whether these signals are allowed to pass through to the brain. In some cases, the signals are passed along more readily and pain is experienced more intensely. In other instances, pain messages are minimized or even prevented from reaching the brain at all. A Closer Look at the Gate Control Process This gating mechanism takes place in the dorsal horn of the bodys spinal cord. Both small nerve fibers (pain fibers) and large nerve fibers (normal fibers for touch, pressure, and other skin senses) both carry information to two areas of the dorsal horn. These two areas are either the transmission cells that carry information up to the spinal cord to the brain or the inhibitory interneurons which halt or impede the transmission of sensory information. Large fiber activity, however, excites the inhibitory neurons, which diminishes the transmission of pain information. When there is more large fiber activity in comparison to pain fiber activity, people tend to experience less pain. This means that the pain gates are closed.Pain fibers impede the inhibitory interneurons, allowing pain information to travel up to the brain. When there is more small fiber activity, it inactivates the inhibitory neurons so that pain signals can be sent to the brain in order for pain perception (also known as nociception) to take place. In other words, the pain gates are now open. While it is perhaps the most influential theory of pain perception, gate control is not without problems. Many of the ideas suggested by Melzack and Wall have not been substantiated by research, including the very existence of an actual gating system in the spinal cord.   Gate Control Explains Why Touch Can Modulate Pain Perception Melzack and Wall suggest that this process explains why we tend to rub injuries after they happen. When you bang your shin on a chair or table, for example, you might stop to rub the injured spot for a few moments. The increase in normal touch sensory information helps inhibit pain fiber activity, therefore reducing the perception of pain. Gate control theory is also often used to explain why massage and touch can be helpful pain management strategies during childbirth. Because the touch increases large fiber activity, it has an inhibitory effect on pain signals. Melzack and Wall themselves noted that the gate metaphor for pain perception served as a helpful way of helping people understand the basic concept, regardless of whether they grasped the complex physiological processes behind the theory. Doctors often utilize the gate metaphor to help patients understand how and why pain can fluctuate so much. A Word From Verywell While gate control theory does not explain every aspect of how people experience pain, it does tell us some important things. Melzack and Walls theory was the first to consider the psychological factors that influence the perception and experience of pain. There was initially a period of resistance to the theory after the original article was published, but it soon became accepted as evidence increasingly pointed to the existence of a spinal gating mechanism. The theory helped transform approaches to the treatment of management of pain.

Gate Control Theory and the Brain

Gate Control Theory and the Brain Psychotherapy Print Gate Control Theory and the Brain By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on December 01, 2019 Sandro Di Carlo Darsa/PhotoAlto/Getty Images More in Psychotherapy Online Therapy In order to explain why our mental states impact pain perceptions, researchers Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall proposed what is known as gate control theory during the early 1960s. This theory suggests that the spinal cord contains a neurological gate that either blocks pain signals or allows them to continue on to the brain. Researchers have long observed that factors such as thoughts, emotions, and expectations can influence our perceptions of pain. If you expect something to hurt, it probably will hurt worse. If you are upset or frightened, pain may seem more intense than it would if you were calm. Unlike an actual gate, which opens and closes to allow things to pass through, the gate in the spinal cord operates by differentiating between the types of fibers carrying pain signals. Pain signals traveling via small nerve fibers are allowed to pass through while signals sent by large nerve fibers are blocked. Gate control theory is often used to explain the phantom or chronic pain. How Gate Control Works Following an injury, pain signals are transmitted to the spinal cord and then up to the brain. Melzack and Wall suggest that before the information is transmitted to the brain, the pain messages encounter nerve gates that control whether these signals are allowed to pass through to the brain. In some cases, the signals are passed along more readily and pain is experienced more intensely. In other instances, pain messages are minimized or even prevented from reaching the brain at all. A Closer Look at the Gate Control Process This gating mechanism takes place in the dorsal horn of the bodys spinal cord. Both small nerve fibers (pain fibers) and large nerve fibers (normal fibers for touch, pressure, and other skin senses) both carry information to two areas of the dorsal horn. These two areas are either the transmission cells that carry information up to the spinal cord to the brain or the inhibitory interneurons which halt or impede the transmission of sensory information. Large fiber activity, however, excites the inhibitory neurons, which diminishes the transmission of pain information. When there is more large fiber activity in comparison to pain fiber activity, people tend to experience less pain. This means that the pain gates are closed.Pain fibers impede the inhibitory interneurons, allowing pain information to travel up to the brain. When there is more small fiber activity, it inactivates the inhibitory neurons so that pain signals can be sent to the brain in order for pain perception (also known as nociception) to take place. In other words, the pain gates are now open. While it is perhaps the most influential theory of pain perception, gate control is not without problems. Many of the ideas suggested by Melzack and Wall have not been substantiated by research, including the very existence of an actual gating system in the spinal cord.   Gate Control Explains Why Touch Can Modulate Pain Perception Melzack and Wall suggest that this process explains why we tend to rub injuries after they happen. When you bang your shin on a chair or table, for example, you might stop to rub the injured spot for a few moments. The increase in normal touch sensory information helps inhibit pain fiber activity, therefore reducing the perception of pain. Gate control theory is also often used to explain why massage and touch can be helpful pain management strategies during childbirth. Because the touch increases large fiber activity, it has an inhibitory effect on pain signals. Melzack and Wall themselves noted that the gate metaphor for pain perception served as a helpful way of helping people understand the basic concept, regardless of whether they grasped the complex physiological processes behind the theory. Doctors often utilize the gate metaphor to help patients understand how and why pain can fluctuate so much. A Word From Verywell While gate control theory does not explain every aspect of how people experience pain, it does tell us some important things. Melzack and Walls theory was the first to consider the psychological factors that influence the perception and experience of pain. There was initially a period of resistance to the theory after the original article was published, but it soon became accepted as evidence increasingly pointed to the existence of a spinal gating mechanism. The theory helped transform approaches to the treatment of management of pain.

9th Grade Science Test - Free Online Quiz

A Short Note On Non And Non Nonverbal Communication

NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION Non –verbal communication comes under the purview of social interaction in sociology. Nonverbal communication affects how the words one says is perceived and understood . This type of communication includes gestures, touch, body language, posture, facial expressions, and eye contact. Nonverbal communication can also include messages communicated through material items. For example, clothing or hairstyle is a form of nonverbal exchange that communicates something about the individual. As a general rule, nonverbal communication can be studied based on the location or context of communication, the physical characteristics of the interlocutors, and the behaviors of the interlocutors in the course of the interaction†¦show more content†¦These nonverbal behaviors can indicate a person’s feelings and rry themselves in different contexts. A fisherman will have a completely different gesture as compared to a corporate person .Postures E. Generational differences demonstrate how posture is socialized; older generations were taught to carry themselves with their shoulders farther back, prompting parents to remind today’s youth to stop slouching. Gestures Vitarka mudra, Tarim Basin, 9th century. . Gestures are movements with one’s hands, arms, or face that communicate a particular message. The most common gestures are emblem gestures or quotable gestures that are learned within a particular cultural to communicate a particular message. For example, in the Western world, waving one’s hand back and forth communicates â€Å"hello† or â€Å"goodbye.† Emblem gestures can vary by cultural space so widely that a common gesture in one context is offensive in another. Facial gestures, or facial expressions, are a particularly communicative form of gesture. Facial expressions are more difficult for the â€Å"speaker† to manipulate, given that so many micro-movements are involved in the creation of one expression. This makes facial gestures extremely efficient and honest, and are therefore heavily relied upon in by the â€Å"listener† in evaluating the â€Å"speaker’s† assertions. Clothing Clothing is a means of communicating nonverbally that relies upon materials other than

William Shakespeare s Hamlet As A Tragic Hero - 1251 Words

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. Hamlet himself is commonly known as a tragic hero in the play. He knows he possesses the flaw of indecision but cannot overcome it, and this is a weakness that eventually causes his downfall. Therefore, this paper will discuss his own fate by examining some of his characteristics. Different people have their own understanding towards Hamlet. As a tragic hero, some think he is young, brave and thoughtful; some think he is conscientious, because he loves his country, his father, and his girlfriend; also there are some who think he is a loser. In my point of view, I not only see him as a big hero who can carry on his duty and revenge for his father and his country, but also an imperfect man who is always indecisive. The first soliloquy (Page 127), this paper will discuss, is one of the most famous soliloquies of Hamlet. He said it in the Act III, scene I (64-98), before he met Ophelia. He was walking by himself and thinking about life. â€Å"To be or not to be, that is the question†, this is the first line of his soliloquy. From this line, Hamlet shows the audiences how conflicted he was at that time. The biggest question for him is to live or to die, and all the rest of his soliloquies help him try to find out the answer. Let’s think about his personal development before and after. Before his father died, Hamlet used to be a student who studied in the Wittenberg. And Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, has a happy family. HisShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - The Aristotelian Tragic Hero1529 Words   |  7 Pagesplay, Hamlet, centers around Hamlet’s contemplation of killing his uncle in order to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet’s decisions and values come into play in determining his fate. However, Hamlet’s intended action to avenge his father’s death, rather his motivation, falls short due to his moral dilemma. 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Checkpoint Drawing Head Of Lead by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Quarters by Michelangelo Essay Example For Students

Checkpoint Drawing Head Of Lead by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Quarters by Michelangelo Essay The 2 drawings that loved and chose to study or Compare are Head Of Lead by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Quarters by Michelangelo; the two are very interesting to me because they tell me about the artist, for instance Michelangelo drawing is the only surviving portrait drawing that he made and according to the description Michelangelo Was most reluctant to make portrait drawings unless the subject was one Of perfect beauty when he viewer looks at the portrait we can see why he chose to only have perfect beauty the detail of the portrait is almost picture like, every detail is captured including the balanced lighting through the picture and the creases on the clothing it goes beyond just having a person, he was able to capture the essence of the person. Head of Lead by Leonardo da Vinci is also very beautiful yet the detail that Leonardo catches is more anatomically correct rather than capturing the essence of the person whom he was drawing. For example the nose is outlined refectory from nose tip to eye brow the eyes are very anatomically correct their lids are perfectly placed and the lashes are drawn in one by one, Her hair is braided in two buns in what seems to be a series of French braids. We also see how Leonardo style comes through as very relaxed and free formed since his drawing is also like that her posture is very tree flowing and although her hair is braided she does have some hair coming out of it. Both drawings have such differences yet they are very similar, and they show us how these two artist felt about drawing and art in general.

A short quiz Essays

A short quiz Essays A short quiz Essay A short quiz Essay In todays society, many are not aware that they fall In a category of personality regarding the self. The more one tries to answer the questions about their self, the more one beings looking further Into their self. From Walker Percy essay, A Short Quiz, the following paragraphs will include explanations of three of Perrys selves: the cosmological self, the role-taking self, and the scientific and artistic self. The cosmological self can be identified as one of the most common selves in todays youth. The self is either conscious of itself or only conscious of itself insofar s its identity with a cosmological myth or a classificatory system (14). In public media, many artist make appearances which leave a large Impact on people. Such include, first, Justine Bibber. He began singing In the corner of streets to catch the attention of those who walked by and ended up selling millions of records by the side of many other famous musical artists. Through the journey of finding his self, he brought along his fellow believers, or devoted followers. These followers felt as if identifying themselves as a believer, they would receive as well as give some sort of raise or recognition. Not only does the cosmological self apply to one person, but It also applies to a group of people. Take the Dodgers for example. The Dodgers are primarily famous throughout the Hispanic communities but also in California itself since that team has been placed there. As commuters are driving down the freeways in California, they are most likely to drive by a billboard with three large words printed across, Live, Breathe, Blue. Automatically, the word blue is affiliated with the Dodgers, being that their team color is blue. This billboard contrasts two important incepts, living and breathing, to the the color blue,which as discussed appertains to the Dodgers. The self ls_. _ only conscious of Itself Insofar as Its Identity with A classificatory system (14). In this way, people try to find themselves through the classification of others. And finally, the most common cosmological self, astrological signs. Various question the effect astrological signs have on the readers views of themselves. Astrological signs play a large role in many lives today. In a sense, it helps todays world to find themselves. The key phrase in that sentence Is in a ensue. The reality Is that astrological signs, as well as idols such as Justine Bibber and the Dodgers, are only used to fill up the empty space In ones mind which holds the definition of that persons self. The second of Percy selves is the role-taking self. One sociological view of the self is that the self achieves its identity by taking roles and modeling its own from the roles of others (15). A natural example of this is the relationship between a child and their parent. A childs first words generally originate from their parents speech. A arena may consistently ask the child If they want milk, a toy, or even their father. This occasionally results in the development of a childs first word. As a teenager, they begin to acquire some habits, good and bad, from their parents. This includes speech, organization, and work habits. As an adult, they may choose to raise their child in accordance to their parents early decisions. In all, a child imitating their parent Is typical in the role-taking self. A contrasting bond may take place in an employee to trainer setting. As there is no natural, or blood, relation In this type of mains the same. And finally, the role-taking self between a player and their coach. Not many people have the opportunity to experience the relationship between a player and their coach. It is what is commonly known as a love/hate relationship. The day a player win their match, race, or game, they are in love with their coach. But that love never last longer than two days when that player is back on the field or court wishing they had left the scene when they had the chance. Despite the adversities present in the role-taking self, it provides a template which one can always rely on. The third and final of Perrys selves is the scientific and artistic self. That self which is so totally absorbed in the pursuit of art or science as to be selfless. (16) To be selfless is to be concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with ones own. (ODD) There are two famous modern artists who fall into this category. The first is Stefan Joanne Germantown, openly known as Lady Gaga. She was rejected ma ny times before finally getting signed on a record deal which eventually led her to her millions. Her selfless led her to this point. She never gave up on herself because he knew that her music would change the lives of many. The second artist is without a doubt Mile Cyrus. In the pursuit of art, she has completely and utterly changed her whole lifestyle. She went from holding teddy bears and dreaming of rainbows to wearing teddy bears and visualizing rainbows. And last but not least the world famous Albert Einstein. His persistence can truly be marked as a perfect example for anyone fighting for what they know is right. Despite all the attempts to put him down and shut him up, Einstein continued to humbly research and discover wonders of the roll while locals roared about his obvious differences to normal society. True selflessness can be learned from the examples of Albert Einstein as well as Lady Gaga and Mile Cyrus in the scientific and artistic self. Muff have spent a lifetime with yourself, live in the century of the Self, and therefore ought to know yourself best of all (12). In his essay, Percy mentions that anyone can explore for their true self but no one will find it. The cosmological self, the role-taking self, and the scientific and artistic self all reflect Walker Perrys ideas on how people live and act in todays culture.