title: Theories of pain: from specificity to gate control.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Massieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moayedi
authors.forename: Karen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000502:physiology*