What pain theory proposed that pain was a disturbance that passed along nerve fibers to the brain?

The theory that posits pain as a disturbance passing along nerve fibers to the brain is the Specificity Theory. This theory suggests that there are dedicated pain fibers that transmit signals about pain directly to the brain, where the perception of pain occurs. It emphasizes the idea that pain sensations are distinct and separate from other sensations, indicating a direct pathway or connection between a stimulus (such as tissue injury) and the experience of pain.

Specificity Theory was one of the early explanations for the mechanism of pain perception and is important in understanding the foundational concepts of pain management. It contrasts with more modern theories, which recognize a more complex interaction between nerve signals, brain processing, and psychological factors in the experience of pain. The other theories mentioned, like Gate Control Theory and Neuromatrix Theory, provide more nuanced understandings of how pain is perceived and modulated, highlighting the roles of nerve transmission and the central nervous system rather than simply a direct pathway.