A woman trained in natural childbirth techniques (deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and mental images) reported that her labor and delivery were considerably less painful than she had anticipated. The gate-control theory of pain explains this phenomenon by asserting that ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory of pain proposes that there is a "gate" in the spinal cord that can either allow or block pain signals from reaching the brain. By using natural childbirth techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and mental images, the woman likely activated sensory nerves that sent inhibitory signals to the "gate" in her spinal cord, which prevented the pain signals from reaching her brain. Therefore, the correct response is A) sensory nerves in the spinal cord prevented the impulse from reaching her brain.

A Woman Trained in Natural Childbirth Techniques (Deep Breathing, Muscle