pain as a prediction

Changes in the mechanical, thermal and chemical status ofthe tissues of the body – stimuli that can cause pain – are important first of all for the homeostatic maintenance of the body.

human feeling of pain is both a distinct sensation and a motivation – that is, a specific emotion that reflects homeostatic behavioral drive, similar to temperature, itch, hunger and thirst.

The scientists and physiotherapists Dave Butler and Lorimer Moseley put it elegantly:

“We will experience pain when our credible evidence of danger related to our body is greater than our credible evidence of safety related to our body. Equally we won’t have pain when our credible evidence of safety is greater than our credible evidence of danger.”