Final answer:
Low rate TENS affects the gate control theory of pain, which postulates that certain non-painful inputs can inhibit pain signals. Lidocaine helps in pain control by blocking signal transmission in nerve cells. Stress and relaxation have been shown to affect pain sensitivity, indicating that stress-management could be beneficial in pain management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of pain control affected by low rate Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is known as the gate control theory of pain. This theory suggests that non-painful input, such as the electrical impulses from low rate TENS, closes the 'gates' to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. Low rate TENS essentially interrupts the pain signals at the spinal cord level, reducing the perception of pain.
Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, works on pain by blocking the sodium channels in the nerve cells, which inhibits the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses. By blocking signal reception and transduction, lidocaine prevents the pain signals from being generated and propagated, leading to an absence of pain sensation.
Effects of Stress and Relaxation on Pain Sensitivity
Research by Logan H. and colleagues, as well as studies by Cathcart et al., have demonstrated that stress can increase pain sensitivity, whereas relaxation techniques can reduce it. These findings are important because they suggest that stress-management and relaxation techniques could be effective in managing pain alongside other interventions like low rate TENS and pharmaceutical agents such as lidocaine.