ABSTRACT
When tissue damage occurs, pain signals are initiated in bare nerve endings and specialised nociceptors in the damaged area. These signals are carried to the spinal cord along very small nerve fi bres called A-delta and C fi bres. When the signal reaches the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, it is processed and then transmitted to the brain where it is appreciated as pain. The brain responds with a series of important changes that may or may not be adaptive.
