Theories of pain: from specificity to gate control

Moayedi M, Davis KD. Theories of pain: from specificity to gate control. J Neurophysiol 109: 5-12, 2013. First published October 3, 2012; doi:10.1152/jn.00457.2012.-Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed to explain the physiological basis of pain, although none yet completely accounts for all aspects of pain perception. Here, we provide a historical overview of the major contributions, ideas, and competing theories of pain from ancient civilizations to Melzack and Wall's Gate Control Theory of Pain.