When you hurt your toe (for instance), why does holding the painful toe with your hands make the pain less?

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Yes, I just hit my little to against the doorpost.

In: Biology

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It’s due to what is called the “gate control theory.” Simply put, the “ouchie” signal and the “not-ouchie” signals meet in your spinal cord, and can only send one signal to the brain. The non-painful signal (holding or touching) always wins, dampening the pain signal.

The sensory receptor for pressure is more sensitive than pain.

Btw the sensory for pain is also more sensitive than itch.

Which is why scratching reduce itchy feel