 Some people suffer chronic pain long after an injury has healed, while others can jump from a two-story building and not feel a thing. This film reveals the physiological foundations of both scenarios as it examines the mechanics of pain perception. Viewers meet a family whose unique genetic code has lent insight into the sensation of pain, while a man who cut off his own arm to save his life describes what he felt—and what he didn’t feel—during the unthinkable experience. Researchers are finding that even early childhood events play a role in the ability to tolerate pain, and that a blend of neurology and psychology yields promising new treatments in its management. A BBC Production. (52 minutes)
|