Gate control theory

The gate control theory of pain, proposed in the 1960s by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall, explains how the spinal cord can act as a “gate” that either allows or blocks pain signals on their way to the brain.

According to this model, non-painful input (such as touch or vibration) can close the gate and reduce the perception of pain. This theory revolutionized pain medicine by showing that pain is not just a direct signal from injured tissue, but a dynamic process shaped by the nervous system. It also laid the groundwork for many modern therapies, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), spinal cord stimulation and PRF, all of which influence the gating of pain signals.