Biochemical Origin of Pain

Pain researchers propose that Fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes should be reclassified and treated based on their unique inflammatory profiles. Pain researchers are wanting it to be made known that the origin of all pain is inflammation and the inflammatory response. The biochemical mediators of inflammation include cytokines, neuropeptides, growth factors and neurotransmitters.

They all agree that whether the pain is acute pain, chronic pain, peripheral pain, central pain, or neuropathic pain, it is all coming from the same origin - inflammatory responses.

Pain researchers are proposing that treatment of pain syndromes should be based on the following principles:

1. Determination of the inflammatory profile of the pain syndrome;

2. Inhibition or suppression of production of the appropriate inflammatory mediators, e.g. with inflammatory mediator blockers or surgical intervention where appropriate;

3. Inhibition or suppression of neuronal afferent and efferent (motor) transmission, e.g. with anti-seizure drugs or local anesthetic blocks;

4. Modulation of neuronal transmission, e.g. with opioid medication.

The L.A. Pain Clinic has successfully treated a variety of pain syndromes by using the above principles. According to the article,

“This theory of the biochemical origin of pain is compatible with, inclusive of, and unifies existing theories and knowledge of the mechanism of pain including the gate control theory, and theories of pre-emptive analgesia, windup and central sensitization.”