it takes away the pain...why/how?

[gingerflaps]

i have a bean bag thing that u put in the microwave for 2 mins whenever u have a stomach ache ect, and then u put the heated bean bag and hey presto, 5 mins later the pain has gone, how does this work and why???

[joko]

It is really just a version of a hot water bottle. The heat help the stomach muscles relax, which I suppose constrict or tense up even more than they may normally do if you're in pain, so the heat soothes the pain like a cramp stops hurting when its released - i suppose it may depend on the cause of the pains though - it also just make you feel better because you feel all cosy and snuggly...:o)

[Scarlett]

It could also be that any other sensation gives the brain something to distract it from the original pain. Many people use TENS machines for chronic back pain; they emit a very low level electric shock (!) that feels like a constant prickly buzzing. The brain then focuses on this instead, and forgets about transmitting the pain feelings to you! It's very clever.

[undercovers]

this works through the principle of the "Pain Gate" Theory - e.g. the brain can only accept a limited amount of stimulus that could cause pain, if you have a stomach ache, or a bruise etc and then apply heat the body will then register that it is hot rather than that it is injuried / in pain. It is not known exactly why this occurs but it is accepted that it does. Another example of the pain gate theory is rubbing an injury, this is almost instinctive as soon as you have taken a knock you rub the injured area and the pain seems to lessen - this is because the brain is accepting the feeling of pressure over the feeling of pain / damage.

[joko]

Regarding the Pain Gate Theory - why then, if you were to put a cold water bottle on your stomach would the brain not register simply cold instead of pain? The cold makes the pain worse - particularly when the pain is caused by menstrual cramps.

Also why do we put something cold - not hot - on a bruise or sprain? There are reasons for these choices - and its not simply to 'fool the brain'

The reason we rub an injury instantly is because it is what out parents, aunties, uncles, teachers etc, did when were children, like 'kissing it better'. It is a learnt instinct and a protective act - to prevent further damage  These are both purely 'in the mind' and don't actually take away any pain, rather just momentarily comfort us - in the absence of 'mummy' to do it for us

In these instances your theory makes no sense, although I can see some sense in it.

[undercovers]

your mixing up two or three treatments in your response as I don't think you have thought through the reason for treatment (e.g. to ease pain or to reduce swelling etc.). If your interested in the pain gate theory please see this as an introduction, there are a lot better sites and books out there but i haven't got time to google them for long. http://www.aromacaring.co.uk/pain_gate_theory.htm - this is dealing with pain treatment only.

For info about ice being used please see http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/articles/scni2a2.htm - this is dealing with treating a soft tissue injury, such as the sprained ankle example you mentioned. As you will appreciate the use of the pain gate theory is not a treatment for the cause of the pain, it only reduce the symptoms of the original injury / problem whereas icing an area of injury is treating the wound. I'm not sure i'm making myself very clear but i hope you get the gist of what i'm trying to get at.