Patient's Perception of Pain and the Gate Control Theory

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What influences a patient's "perception" of pain?
The perception of pain is influenced by several factors. According to Marmo & D'Arcy (2013), a patient’s perception of pain is greatly influenced by sociocultural factors such as family and the community to which the patient belongs and emotional status. Culturally, the perception of pain is influenced by what the patient’s cultural beliefs dictate as the pain threshold, and the kind of pain worth mentioning. Further, as indicated by Wiech (2016), pain perception is also influenced by prior information and prior pain experiences. Prior information affects the patient’s expectations regarding pain.
What are some theories regarding pain management during labour and birth?
One of the most common theories regarding pain management during labour is the gate control theory, which posits that the emotions experienced by an individual have an effect on their perception of pain. This theory provides that there exist a brain mechanism that either reduces or increases transmission of pain, and gentle, non-painful massages on the painful section can help reduce ...