Role of the Brain
- In the brain a number of connections further influence the meaning that is made of these sensations. Pain does not occur in any one place in the brain, links are made with many parts, including where our ‘attention’ is turned on, emotional responses, motor and sensory control centres, and also the cortex, where conscious thought processes occur.
- This means the whole body is involved, not only in the transmission of messages, but also the interpretation of them, and in how we respond.
- Transmission across nerve synapses involves changes in chemical reactions, some of which increase the transmission of messages about the pain, and there can also be associated inflammatory changes in the tissues, involving single or multiple mechanisms.
- This means that sometimes pain doesn’t always respond to traditional treatments or medications, or can be exacerbated by traditional approaches.
