Pain is a natural systemic reaction. In its basic form it is a beneficial phenomenon. Without the ability to feel pain humans would not be prepared for situations that can cause bodily injuries. Pain helps humans to learn to avoid dangerous stimuli.
The sensation of pain is formed when the nerve endings that sense pain are irritated. This is the case for example when there is beginning tissue damage. Active substances that irritate the nerve endings are released in this specific area and they cause a local inflammatory reaction. The irritation is transmitted first via nerves to the spinal cord and then higher up to the central nervous system, where the sensation of pain is first formed.
Different organs have different nerve endings and the pain impulses travel to the central nervous system via various nerves. The nerve endings on the skin transmit pain quickly and the pain perceived in the brain corresponds clearly to the origination site. There are fewer nerve endings that sense pain in the internal organs, the impulses travel via slower neurofibrilla and it is more difficult to exactly locate the pain originating from there.
Different mechanisms that can strengthen or weaken the pain impulses exist at the pain origination site, on the way to the central nervous system and in the central nervous system itself. Generally the tissue damage that caused the pain will heal, but if there are several factors that increase the pain level, the nervous system may become misprogrammed and the pain may become chronic.
The factors that can make one prone to chronic pain are lack of activity and a sedentary life style, chronic illnesses, sleeplessness, a learned behavioral model or continuous additional stimuli and psychic factors.
When pain becomes chronic, it will be much more difficult to treat and the treatment outcomes are worse. Thus treating pain at the right time efficiently and appropriately is the best prevention of chronic pain.
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