How Many Nerve Endings Detect Pain?
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Nociceptors
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Nerve endings have sensory neurons with the ability to detect touch and pain. The sensory neurons that detect pain are called nociceptors and they number into the millions. These are located on your skin and internal organs to alert you to dangerous or painful sensations. For example, if you put your hand near a hot mug of tea, you will start feeling the heat. Until the heat becomes painful, other nerve ending sensors are sending the signal to your brain about that stimulus. When the stimulus, in this case the heat from the hot liquid, reaches a high enough level to register as pain, nociceptors are activated and start sending a signal along the neurons and nerves to communicate with your brain. Your brain, in turn, will register the pain and send signals to move your hand away.
Types of Nociceptors
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The type of nociceptors that detect heat are called thermal nociceptors, and they become active when exposed to extremes in temperature. Other nociceptors detect mechanical or chemical changes within or to your body that could be perceived as pain. These can interpret external stimuli, such as a cut or superficial wound, or internal stimuli which respond to organ or tissue damage. Still others only respond to inflammation or injury, therefore receiving the name of silent or sleeping nociceptors. These nerve endings also respond to pain in two different ways.
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Pain Response
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Initially, these nerve endings react to sharp or sudden pain. The nociceptors that transmit sharp, intense pain are myelinated and transmit information very quickly, about 20 meters per second. This allows you to react quickly. The other kind of nociceptor is unmyelinated, and transmits pain sensations much more slowly, around two meters per second. The pain it transmits lasts longer but is not as intense as the initial reaction. This second kind of sensory transmitter can actually become more sensitive to pain if your body is exposed to pain or inflammation for long periods of time.
Scientists and medical doctors study pain perception to learn why individuals react differently to pain, and also how to effectively treat pain. Pain management includes psychological counseling, surgery and pharmaceutical treatments. There are also alternative pain management options available, such as acupuncture, biofeedback and chiropractic treatment. Acupuncture is believed to affect pain inhibitors in the body, whereas biofeedback helps individuals to recognize and modify their own behavior and reactions, which may help to diminish pain.
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