History of Pain

The understanding of pain has changed dramatically over time, moving from spiritual and moral explanations to neurobiological and biopsychosocial models.

Ancient and Classical Concepts

Early cultures interpreted pain as punishment, imbalance or possession. Greek and Roman medicine introduced more systematic ideas, linking pain to bodily humors and organs.

Philosophical Foundations

Thinkers such as Descartes proposed mechanistic pathways between the body and the brain, influencing medical concepts of pain for centuries.

Early Medical Approaches

Before modern anesthesia and analgesia, pain management relied on herbal preparations, opium and crude physical techniques. Surgery was rare and terrifying because of uncontrolled pain.

From Gate Control to Biopsychosocial

The 20th century brought key milestones including the Gate Control Theory, the development of anesthesiology, and the emergence of multidisciplinary pain clinics. Later, the biopsychosocial model highlighted the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors.

Modern Era

Today, pain science integrates neuroimaging, molecular biology, psychology, epidemiology and patient-reported outcomes. New technologies such as neuromodulation, digital therapeutics and AI continue to reshape how we conceptualize and manage pain.