While these drugs do not treat whatever is causing the pain, they can provide enough relief to make people more comfortable and to allow them to carry out their daily routines. Throughout human history, people have sought ways to reduce pain. Until modern times, only a few effective analgesics existed. But today, a wide range of pain relievers are available. Description Pain is the body's signal that something is wrong.
Pain begins at the level of the cells.
In response to injury or inflammation, cells release chemical messengers. These chemical messengers alert other specialized cells called pain receptors. The pain receptors send signals to the brain. The brain interprets the signals, and we perceive pain. Analgesics work by either blocking the signals that go to the brain or by interfering with the brain's interpretation of the signals.