Pain perception is influenced by many factors – including gender, time of day, and handedness. Professor Hartmut Göbel answers frequently asked questions about this:

Why is pain sensitivity increased at night?

Professor Hartmut Göbel: The body regulates pain sensitivity. Numerous studies show that humans are particularly sensitive to pain at night and in the early morning. This sensitivity decreases throughout the day. Pain sensitivity is regulated by numerous electrical and biochemical processes. Pain sensitivity increases during sleep so that injuries are more readily perceived during this phase. Conversely, it is known that pain sensitivity is lower during activity and distraction.

Do women and men have different pain thresholds and different tolerances for pain?

In experiments, women exhibited higher pain sensitivity than men. They perceive pain more intensely and with greater nuance. Men have a less refined pain perception system. However, this also means they may not notice injuries early enough. These gender-specific differences are partly due to genetic predisposition, which affects the sensitivity of the pain perception system. Hormonal influences also contribute to increased pain sensitivity.

Women show greater differences in the lateralization of pain sensitivity. What does this mean and what is the reason for it?

The body has two halves – it is symmetrically designed. Humans have two arms, two legs, two eyes, and two ears. Physical pain sensitivity also exhibits lateralization: it is not the same on the left and right sides, but differs. The dominant arm is less sensitive than the non-dominant arm. Conversely, pain is perceived more intensely on the non-dominant side. It also appears that the dominant side of the internal organs is less sensitive to pain.

Why is the circadian rhythm of pain sensitivity more pronounced in women?

The body's pain sensitivity changes throughout the day. These changes can be very subtle or very pronounced. Women's pain perception is significantly more nuanced than men's. They experience the different nuances of various pain types much more intensely. It can even be directly measured that the daily fluctuations in pain sensitivity are considerably greater in women. Overall, women have a more complex sensory system.

What is the best way to deal with pain?

Previously, it was assumed that anything that rested and reduced activity alleviated pain. Today, we know that the opposite is true: activity and movement counteract pain. For people who are on long-term sick leave after a herniated disc, the prognosis for returning to work is significantly reduced. In these cases, it's important to return to normal daily life as quickly as possible. It's crucial not to give in to the pain, but to treat it and then become active again.

Literature:
Hartmut Göbel. Pain Measurement – ​​Theory – Methodology – Applications in Headache –
Urban & Fischer Verlag, ISBN 10: 3437114360 / ISBN 13: 9783437114366