It has been close to three months now since I had a complex fracture of the hand; this blog is not about that!
It is about the pain as explained in the novel Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky and then some!
The immediate fall which broke my radius into four gave a sharp pain which of course was severe but still I had to be brave in front of the kids who were alone! That pain which was severe and frankly bone breaking acute pain was later followed by a throb which drove away my sleep and well everything else!
It was like you get a one time single payment or a long term EMI!
That was the A delta and the C fibers interplay!
The two primary types of nerve fibers responsible for transmitting pain (nociceptive) signals are A-delta and C fibers.
The A-Delta fibers are for the Fast, sharp, pricking, or acute pain and are responsible for the immediate “first” pain!
The C fibers transmission results in much slower signal transmission. This is a Slow, dull, aching, throbbing, or burning pain!
One interesting thing here is that the activation of one fiber can inhibit or modulate the signal of the other, but it does not completely “stop” it at the source. Instead, they interact downstream in the spinal cord through complex neural mechanisms!
So the A-Delta Fibers Can Suppress C Fibers! The fast A-delta fibers send rapid electrical signals to the spinal cord dorsal horn. which can activate spinal inhibitory interneurons, which effectively dulls or dampens the incoming, slower C-fiber signals!
You also have the Gate Control Theory of Pain in which Large, highly myelinated sensory fibers called A-beta fibers detect safe touch, pressure, and vibration.
So when you slam your finger in a door (A-delta and C fibers firing) and immediately rub it, you activate the A-beta fibers! The activation of these touch fibers stimulates inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord, “closing the gate” and overriding the pain signals from both types of pain fibers before they reach the brain! Albeit temporarily! Which is why we massage the area and feel comfortable though it may not last long! In fact this may also be one of the reasons why a MASSAGE works!
Then you also have the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls or DNIC!
This is a phenomenon known as “pain inhibits pain.” Intense, localized pain in one area transmitted by pain fibers can cause the brain to trigger a widespread release of endorphins and neurotransmitters!
This descending pathway suppresses C-fiber pain signals originating from other, distant parts of the body! Our own network of opioids which can suppress pain!
This is also why we feel a rush in pain of exercise!
Pain is good… But like everything else; within limits!
Limit less talent was the hallmark of actor like T. G. Ravindranathan!
Now best way to beat them pain? Sleep!
Shubh ratri…
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