Gating, in relation to pain, is a normal regulatory mechanism which affects the way we perceive pain. In the spinal cord, normal (non-pain) sensory fibres are linked to pain fibres in such a way that one can suppress the other. For example, after stubbing your toe (a painful stimulus), gently rubbing the skin over the toe (non-pain sensation) can reduce the feeling of pain. The non-pain sensation takes over and inhibits the transmission of the pain sensation.
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately.
