Melzack-Walls theory

The Melzack-Walls theory, also known as the gate control theory of pain, proposes that signals from pain receptors in the body are modulated by a "gate" in the spinal cord. This gate can either allow or block pain signals from reaching the brain. Factors like attention, emotion, or pressure can influence this gate, reducing or amplifying the sensation of pain. Essentially, it explains that pain isn’t just about injury; psychological and physical factors can alter how much pain we feel, highlighting a complex interaction between mind and body in the perception of pain.