Physiology and Pathophysiology of Pain

Abstract

The production of pain and the biological responses to it are part of a highly integrated system which helps animals to react, respond and protect themselves from their environment, The pain system includes sensors, neural pathways and processing centers that are responsible for detecting transmitting and actualizing the animals biological and behavioral responses to noxious events. The development of peripheral sensitization, central sensitization and permanent alterations in the way animals process painful events are just some of the ways that animals protect themselves from their environment. Understanding the physiological and pathophysiological processes responsible for pain is essential to rational pain therapy.