SDK100 Essay: Exploring the Gate Control Theory of Pain and Relief

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the gate control theory of pain and its implications for pain relief. It begins by defining pain and introducing the concept of nociceptors, which detect tissue damage and transmit signals to the brain via the spinal cord. The essay then delves into the gate control theory, explaining how pain signals encounter nerve gates in the spinal cord that regulate their transmission. It explores various strategies for modulating pain perception, including mental strategies like focused attention and distraction. The essay also discusses the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a method to close the gate and reduce pain signals. Furthermore, the essay discusses the role of different stimuli and how they interceptors detect through pathways. The conclusion summarizes the key points, emphasizing the importance of understanding the gate control theory for effective pain management and highlights the role of the spinal cord and brain in responding to pain information. References from various medical journals are included to support the arguments and findings of the essay.

SDK100 ESSAY PLAN TEMPLATE
TITLE (provide a title for your essay, or use the title provided in the question).
The gate control theory of pain helps us to understand how pain relief can be achieved.
INTRODUCTION (one paragraph; about 5-10% of the word count; set the scene with some basic
background information; define any key terms; briefly signpost the focus of your essay).
Pain is defined uncomfortable which is related with the feeling which may create complication for the
individual which may something wrong. It is defined as the steady, throbbing, stabbing, aching, pinching
or they also show the aspect which is described which of ways. In addition, they also nuisance which is
like mild headache and so on (Marineo, 2019). People usually feel the pain which is specific nerve called
nociceptor detect tissue damage and transmit information about they also show the damage along with the
spinal cord to the brain. In this report, the major discussion the major discussion is based on the gate
control theory which is helpful for the pain understanding that they are well achieved. In this, the essay
focus on the understanding of the pain which is relieved and it is better understand by using the gate
control theory (Seymour, 2019).
MAIN BODY (several paragraphs; about 80-90 % of the word count; develop your key points or
arguments - one main point per paragraph; think carefully about the order and how you can logically link
one point to the next).
Specialised peripheral sensory which is also show the aspect known as nociceptor which show the alert to
potential damaging at the skin which is showing the extreme that is temperature and pressure and injury
related chemical and show the transduction which show the stimulus into the long ranging, electrical
signals that show the higher brain centre (Tan, and Kuner, 2021). Therefore, the activation which is
showing the functional aspect which is based on the nociceptor population and the process which is well
based on the information which may convey provide the rich diversity which is showing the phenomenal
of pain qualities. In addition, the pain is defined as the somatic sensation which is well defined as the
complex constellation of the sensory which is unpleasant, emotional and cognitive experience which is
provoked by the real and perceived tissue which is generally damage and well manifested that the
sensation which is underscored by the extreme cases include patient lacking that provide the ability in
order to perceive pain due the heredity neuropathies often maintain the infection (de Sire and et. al., 2021).
In the context with the gate control theory, pain signal which is well transmitted to the term of spinal cords
which is make up the brain (Fishman, Antony, Esposito, Deer, and Levy, 2019). The pain message
encounter nerve gate that control whether these signals are well allowed to make the pass through the
context. In some of the cases, there are signals which is passed along more readily and pain is well show

the experience which is more intensive. For instance, the pain is showing the message which is minimise
the even prevented from the term of reaching the brain at all. In this, the gating mechanism take place into
the dorsal horns of the spinal cord. These areas or the region is well located on the grey matter in the
posterior spine which is showing their appearances (Sturycz, 2021).
The mental strategy incorporates focused attention along with distraction which is highly effective
and found to modulate pain intensity perceptions. This is the one that includes the strategy where placing
attention on a nociceptive stimulus along with shifting attention to sub nociceptive image that is self-
generated (Sean and et. al., 2021). Applying attention which can modulate pain reception perception. It
can include a mental strategy that can be highly effective and can help to place attention on different
matters (Matamala-Gomez and et. al., 2020). This can help to reduce the blocking of gate control which it
can also lead to a decrease the opening of gate where pain massages pass through to the brain (Hoegh and
et. al., 2019). When an individual is not able to use mental strategy to make the perception towards
another thing, then it lead the situation of Gate more open which passes lot of pain massages was people
may experience high level of pain. When an individual can use the mental strategy, it can influence the
perception of pain by closing the gates. This can be highly effective and can lead to a flow of fewer
massages obtained towards the brain. This can help to experience less pain (Binny and et. al., 2019).
TENS refers to the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation which refers to use of machines when it
is switched on. There is a small electrical impulse that is delivered to affect the individual body area which
amplifies when tingling sensation. Through providing signals that goes through the spinal cord and brain
(Michaelides and Zis, 2019). This is highly effective and can allow individuals to get relief from pain and
relax their muscles. Implementing TENS, it can help to close the gate which can help and reduce the
number of pain messages that goes to the brain. This can help to reduce the experience of pain to
individuals and help in providing relief and relaxing muscles. Implementing TENS therapy, it can help to
use the low voltage electrical current that can help to treat pain. This refers to a small device that delivers
current near nerves. This can help to block the perception of pain (Belitskaya-Levy and et. al., 2021).
CONCLUSION (one paragraph; about 5-10% of the word count; briefly summarise some of the most
important points you have already made and provide a clear take home message).
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that it is essential to manage pain. Here, gate
theory includes better help in managing pain and help in understanding pain relief. There is different types
of stimuli interceptors detect through including pathways spinal cord along with brain which can respond
towards the information. There is also discussion about the ions move and related detail. This also
includes gate control and perception of pain through interrupting pathway brain. There is also discussion
about the how attention can modulate pain perception. There is also discussion about how TENS works
which can help to relieve pain through altering transmission of information with gate control circuit.

REFERENCES (include a reference if information is not common knowledge; insert a citation for each
reference at the appropriate place in your essay, e.g. (Smith et al., 2015); list the full references in
alphabetical order at the end of your essay; in-text citations count against the final word count, the final
reference list does not count).
Belitskaya-Levy, I., Clark, J.D., Shih, M.C. and Bair, M.J., 2021. Treatment preferences for chronic low
back pain: Views of veterans and their providers. Journal of Pain Research, 14, p.161.
Binny, J., Wong, N.L.J., Garga, S., Lin, C.W.C., Maher, C.G., McLachlan, A.J., Traeger, A.C., Machado,
G.C. and Shaheed, C.A., 2019. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) for acute low
back pain: systematic review. Scandinavian journal of pain, 19(2), pp.225-233.
de Sire, A., Ammendolia, A., Lippi, L., Farì, G., Cisari, C. and Invernizzi, M., 2021. Percutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) as a Rehabilitation Approach for Reducing Mixed Chronic
Pain in Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders. Applied Sciences, 11(9), p.4257.
Fishman, M.A., Antony, A., Esposito, M., Deer, T. and Levy, R., 2019. The evolution of neuromodulation
in the treatment of chronic pain: forward-looking perspectives. Pain Medicine, 20(Supplement_1),
pp.S58-S68.
Hoegh, M., Seminowicz, D.A. and Graven‐Nielsen, T., 2019. Delayed effects of attention on pain
sensitivity and conditioned pain modulation. European Journal of Pain, 23(10), pp.1850-1862.
Marineo, G., 2019. Inside the scrambler therapy, a noninvasive treatment of chronic neuropathic and
cancer pain: from the gate control theory to the active principle of information. Integrative Cancer
Therapies, 18, p.1534735419845143.
Matamala-Gomez, M., Nierula, B., Donegan, T., Slater, M. and Sanchez-Vives, M.V., 2020. Manipulating
the perceived shape and color of a virtual limb can modulate pain responses. Journal of Clinical
Medicine, 9(2), p.291.
Michaelides, A. and Zis, P., 2019. Depression, anxiety and acute pain: links and management challenges.
Postgraduate medicine, 131(7), pp.438-444.
Sean, M., Coulombe-Lévêque, A., Vincenot, M., Martel, M., Gendron, L., Marchand, S. and Léonard, G.,
2021. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): towards the development of a clinic-
friendly method for the evaluation of excitatory and inhibitory pain mechanisms. Canadian
Journal of Pain, 5(1), pp.56-65.
Seymour, B., 2019. Pain: A precision signal for reinforcement learning and control. Neuron, 101(6),
pp.1029-1041.
Sturycz, C.A., 2021. The Relationship between Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and Emotional Modulation
of Pain (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Tulsa).
Tan, L.L. and Kuner, R., 2021. Neocortical circuits in pain and pain relief. Nature Reviews Neuroscience,
22(8), pp.458-471.