Overview & Types of Pain

Question 1

What stimulates pain?

Answer 1

stimulation of nociceptors in the tissues (mechanical, thermal, polymodal or silent)

generates an action potential and a neural signal from PNS to CNS via nociceptive pathways

Question 2

what is pain?

Answer 2

unpleasant sensory and emotional experience

only occurs when perceived and constructed in the brain

a dynamic and responsive system

Question 3

what is nociceptive modulation?

Answer 3

the ability of the nervous system to modulate perception of pain

can heighten or reduce pain perception

Question 4

what is the pain threshold?

Answer 4

the level at which pain will be perceived

Question 5

what is the pain tolerance point?

Answer 5

the level at which pain will be perceived as unbearable

Question 6

what are the types of pain?

Answer 6

nociceptive (somatic or visceral) - response to local nociceptive events

neuropathic (maladaption of nervous tissues)

Question 7

what is the difference between nociceptive and neuropathic pain?

Answer 7

nociceptive: from actual or potential damage to non-neural tissues
neuropathic: malfunctioning of the neural system, hardwiring of pain responses due to neuroplastic changes

Question 8

what is hyperalgesia?

Answer 8

increased pain from stimulus than normally provokes less pain

sensitization of nociceptors

Question 9

what is allodynia?

Answer 9

pain from a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain

sensitization of nociceptors and other mechanoreceptors

Question 10

what is the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Answer 10

Acute:

• protective and functional
• in response to actual or potential tissue damage

Chronic

• non protective and non functional
• not related to actual or potential tissue damage
• may include central or peripheral sensitization (7-8%)