The Science of pain Text by Kelli Whitlock Photography by Gary Kirksey O ver the past decade, scientists have discovered that all pain is not created equal.
Children feel pain differently than adults, women differently than men.
The study of why some people hurt when others do not is a widely growing field in science, fostered by new technologies that allow us to view the body's reaction to painful stimuli in ways never before imagined. Our understanding of human pain perceptions and the body's internal coping mechanisms have led to new drugs and treatments for the things that ail us. The National Institutes of Health lists pain as the most common reason for medical appointments, accounting for nearly 40 million trips to the doctor's office each year. Yet the study of the seemingly mundane occurrence of pain is in its infancy. Much of what we've learned has resulted from research at academic institutions, including Ohio University.