Pain is subjective. Everyone has a pain threshold beyond which it is no longer possible to endure pain. Understanding your pain threshold level means you feel good about your body.
What is pain threshold?
Pain threshold is a specific level of irritation of many nerve endings. The reaction to such irritation is a pain test. No people are the same, so no two field threshold levels are the same. One person will calmly endure the pain of the injection ("the mosquito bites"), while the other is experiencing unbearable suffering.
If a person cannot tolerate even the minimum level of exposure to a source of pain (for example, with an injection), then a low level of pain threshold is determined. In the case when a person suffers pain without deteriorating health, a high level of pain threshold is determined. It is noteworthy that the pain threshold may decrease if a person is very tired, mentally exhausted, overworked, or if there is a lack of B vitamins in the body.
What does the pain threshold depend on?
Zones of nerve endings, which are called nociceptors, react to pain in the human body. They are found throughout the body. The level of "pain sensation" depends on the functioning of nociceptors.
Athletes have a higher pain threshold because they have to constantly experience micro doses of pain. The level of pain threshold is determined by the degree of fitness of the body. The pain threshold is determined by genes, but also very much depends on the physiological characteristics of a person, his working conditions and the degree of health.
In 2012, Dr. Patrick McHugh, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield Department, began researching the biochemical element tetrahydrobiopterin, or BH4, which is responsible for pain relief. The aim of the study is to understand why 15% of people barely respond to pain. The research results could help create a medicine for people with a low pain threshold. Dr. McHugh's research is not yet complete.
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Can the pain threshold level be increased?
Yes, you can. For example, if you constantly expose the body to small doses of pain, then after a while the level of the pain threshold rises in this part of the body. For example, if you insert needles into the skin every day, then the skin will thicken in this place, the nerve endings will stop responding to the source of pain. You can get used to the pain.
If you constantly influence the nociceptors with constant strength, or increase the level of exposure, then there is an opportunity to increase the level of susceptibility of nociceptors. Neurologists note that a high level of pain threshold in those people who lead an active lifestyle, have a positive attitude, eat right and are constantly involved in sports.
An interesting fact is that you can psychologically "adjust" the level of pain threshold for a certain situation (for example, to go to the dentist or get vaccinated). If you work on your feelings and adjust yourself to the fact that “it doesn't hurt at all,” then everything will go much easier.
How many “painful” types of people are there?
Neurologists divide people into 4 painful nociceptive types. To measure the level of pain threshold, use a special device - an algesimeter.
Low pain threshold and low pain tolerance interval
People of this type cannot tolerate any level of pain at all. All medical procedures are best performed under local anesthesia to avoid painful shock.
Low pain threshold and long interval of pain tolerance
People of this type do not tolerate pain well, but unlike people with a low interval, they can psychologically adjust themselves to a "light" procedure.
High pain threshold and insignificant (small) tolerance interval
A person of this type easily tolerates pain and painful manipulations. Nerve endings do not respond to injections, blows, cuts, or skin damage. But this type of people also needs psychological support during painful medical manipulations.
High pain threshold and long pain tolerance interval
These are "tin soldiers". People of this type can easily endure any painful sensations, they can walk on hot coals, walk on glass, and lie down on nails. They poorly perceive pain.
How important is it to know the pain threshold level?
This is as important information as the blood type and Rh factor. It is necessary to know the level of the pain threshold so that in an emergency situation, during medical manipulations, a person does not experience a pain shock.