PAIN-SIGNALLING

SUMMARY

1. Transduction: conversion of energy (thermal, mechanical, chemical) to nerve impulses in primary afferents.

2. Transmission: transmission of coded information from primary afferents to dorsal horn neurons, brainstem, thalamus and cortex.

3. Modulation: activity-induced dorsal horn neural plasticity, includes alteration to receptor/channel function, gene function, brain-mediated descending facilitation or inhibition.

4. Perception: higher cortical perception and emotive aspects of pain.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.