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Last updated: Fri, Jul 26, 2024
Stimulation of low-threshold receptors after an injury can provoke pain if they are within the area of secondary hyperalgesia. However, stimulation of low-threshold receptors in adjacent areas of the skin tends to suppress pain. It is believed that signals from the low-threshold receptors inhibit nearby painful signals in the dorsal horn of the spine.
This phenomena explains why lightly rubbing near the painful area can be helpful, and may also explain why liniments are useful in counteracting minor pain.
This phenomenon may be biologically functional. Suppression of pain signals while the innocuous signals are incoming promotes perception of the weaker innocuous signals.