Pain is an uncomfortable feeling we experience whenever we get hurt. It could happen after we bang our knee against a table or bite into a spicyhot pepper. Although no one enjoys pain, it acts as a sixth sensethat keeps us safe from danger.
In fact, pain is helpful because it forces us to quickly react to what’s happening in the moment. For example, we might experience a sudden pain if we grab a hot pan on the stove. The pain is a sign that we need relief immediately. So, we will instantly move our hand away or drop the pan without even thinking about it. In this way, pain can prevent injuries or keep them from becoming much worse.
Our bodies are naturally designed to deliver pain signals. We have a special network of nerve fibersunder our skin. These fibers send our brain signals whenever something that causes us harm happens. First, A-delta fibers deliver an “ouch” as soon as we’re hurt. Later, another type of nerve fiber, called C-fibers, sends a follow-upsignal to remind us that we are still in pain. One example of this is the throbbing painwe might feel after getting our fingers jammed in a door.
