Although we may be surprised by the use of such treatments of yesteryear, today’s therapeutic interventions are hardly less extraordinary. For example, the age old treatment of acupuncture, sophisticated electronics linked to mind-body relaxation in the form of biofeedback, ultrasound and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) are frequently used today in the quest to control pain.
Modern pain theories
The modern theory of pain sensation began in the first half of the nineteenth century. During the mid-nineteenth century, five specific sensory nerves were described. It was said they carried information about the five senses with specific nerves identified as carrying sensation. Several theories of pain were developed in the nineteenth century.
The Specificity Theory, also called the Sensory Theory, held that pain was a specific sensation; pain had its own sensory apparatus independent of touch and other senses. Since its introduction there has been mounting evidence against this theory.
The Pattern Theory held that stimulation of receptor nerves causes a certain pattern of reactions which reflect the quality, intensity, and length of time in which the stimulus acts. These complicated patterns are then fed into the brain and spinal cord where specialised collections of nerve cells decipher them and then initiate an appropriate response.
The Intensive Theory was formulated in the late nineteenth century; it declared that every sensory stimulus, such as touch and pressure, caused pain if severe enough.
Later in the nineteenth century, the American Psychological Association suggested pain was a combination of the original sensation and ‘the psychic reaction, or displeasure, caused by that sensation. ,
Even throughout the first six decades of the twentieth century, research was simply aimed at supporting either theory. The Gate Theory which was only announced in 1965 suggested there is a ‘gate’ within the rear horn-like portion of the spinal cord which either closes to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain or opens to allow the pain to be experienced.
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