Melzack and Wall

Melzack and Wall developed the Gate Control Theory of pain, which explains how pain signals are managed in the nervous system. They proposed that a "gate" located in the spinal cord can open or close, regulating the amount of pain signals reaching the brain. Factors like touch, pressure, or even distraction can close this gate, reducing pain. Conversely, injury or inflammation can open it, increasing pain perception. This theory emphasizes that pain is not just a direct result of tissue damage but also influenced by psychological and sensory factors, which can modulate how pain is experienced.