Pain Management and Sensory Assessment

A type of pain that occurs when tissues are damaged or injured. It is usually sharp, localized, and short-lived.

A type of pain that results from damage to nerves or the nervous system. It can be burning, tingling, or shooting in nature.

A type of pain that is caused by changes in the way the brain processes pain signals. It is often described as chronic, widespread, and unresponsive to traditional pain treatments.

The release of Substance P in the body.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) categorizes pain into three types: nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic. This classification helps healthcare professionals understand the underlying mechanisms of pain and guide treatment strategies.

Pain which has persisted beyond the usual healing time (generally 3 months) that serves no useful biological purpose.

Pain that lasts for at least 3 months, affecting either a specific area or the entire body.

A change in pain perception or management approach. Emphasizes patient-centered care with active strategies like exercise, education, and self-management.

A hormone that influences pain and inflammation.

Increased sensitivity to stimuli that would normally not cause pain. This means a light touch or a gentle pressure can trigger pain.

Increased sensitivity to painful stimuli. This means a painful stimulus feels even more painful than it usually would.

A state of increased excitability of neurons in the central nervous system. This can lead to hyperalgesia and allodynia.

A state of increased excitability of neurons in the peripheral nervous system, directly at the site of injury.

This refers to the release of chemicals at the site of injury that contribute to inflammation and pain.

This is the normal and protective response after an injury. It helps to protect the injured area and promote healing.

This is a prolonged state of hypersensitivity at the site of injury. The inflammatory chemical soup stays active for longer than usual.

This refers to an increased sensitivity to a painful stimulation. It could be to heat, mechanical stimulation, or both.

Pain arising from altered nociception, without evidence of tissue damage or a somatosensory system lesion.

A condition where the body's pain response is heightened to stimuli that normally wouldn't cause pain.

An enhanced perception of pain intensity in response to a painful stimulus.

A condition where the body's pain response is heightened to even light touch.

A combination of peripheral and central pain sensitization, leading to heightened pain response.

Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and some types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Chronic pain lasting longer than 3 months, involving a region rather than a specific point, without evidence of tissue damage or nerve damage.

A combination of altered nociception and central sensitization leading to heightened pain response without clear tissue or nerve injury.

A state where the dorsal horn becomes hyper-excitable, losing its ability to regulate pain signals effectively.

Pain experienced in areas outside the initial injury site.

A brain region involved in regulating pain and stress, which can become sensitized in chronic pain conditions.

Changes in the brain's pain processing regions, such as the thalamus or sensory cortex, leading to sensitization.

A specific type of pain that comes from damage to the nervous system, resulting in sensations like tingling, burning, and shooting pain.

A test method for assessing pain sensitivity. It uses various stimuli like touch, vibration, and temperature applied to the skin in a structured way.

This pain type involves the nervous system amplifying pain signals, even after an injury has healed. This can lead to chronic pain.