Abstract

Our rapidly increasing knowledge of neurobiology provides new information that helps understand the nature of pain. Nociceptors, the most component of the nociceptive system, are no longer regarded as structures whose only task is to register noxious stimuli. Nociceptors are also known to be actively involved in inflammatory processes occurring within their environment and have a modulatory function owing to the release of inflammatory transmitters and neuropeptides. An insight into the molecular principles of activation has made it possible to understand transduction processes resulting from activation of membrane channels and receptors by different stimuli and the associated activation of intracellular signalling processes. An understanding of nociceptor sensitization mechanisms and the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors enables the selection of specific pharmacological or mechanoprotective drugs which increase the sensitivity threshold of nociceptors or prevent their sensitization. More information about the structure and function of nociceptors, and particularly factors which determine the detection of various sensory stimuli, such as warmth or cold, could shed new light on the role of some physiotherapeutic procedures in pain modulation. On the basis of our own experience and literature reports, we present a review of state-of-the-art knowledge in this area.

Key words:

nociceptor, pain, modulation, neuropeptides, sensitization