Why does rubbing the skin around an injury reduce pain, according to the gate control theory of pain?

💡 Explanation

Stimulating Aβ fibers activates inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord, which then reduces the transmission of pain signals from Aδ and C fibers. Because this gate control mechanism decreases the perception of pain, therefore rubbing the skin is effective, rather than merely activating pain fibers or opioid receptors.

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