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Review
. 2012 Sep;39(3):561-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2012.06.013. Epub 2012 Jul 24.

Pain processing in the human nervous system: a selective review of nociceptive and biobehavioral pathways

Eric L Garland  1
Affiliations
Review

Pain processing in the human nervous system: a selective review of nociceptive and biobehavioral pathways

Eric L Garland. Prim Care. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

This selective review discusses the psychobiological mediation of nociception and pain. Summarizing literature from physiology and neuroscience, first an overview of the neuroanatomic and neurochemical systems underpinning pain perception and modulation is provided. Second, findings from psychological science are used to elucidate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors central to the pain experience. This review has implications for clinical practice with patients suffering from chronic pain, and provides strong rationale for assessing and treating pain from a biopsychosocial perspective.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic of nociception, pain perception, and the biobehavioral response to pain in the human nervous system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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