Pain Categories

The article classifies pain into nociceptive pain, peripheral neuropathic pain, and central sensitization. Nociception is neither required nor sufficient for pain. Central sensitization amplifies neural signaling in the central nervous system and can make responses disproportionate to inputs. Nociceptive pain occurs when noxious stimuli arise from body tissues. Peripheral neuropathic pain arises from injury or dysfunction outside the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathic pain can involve abnormal firing and signs consistent with nerve involvement. Central sensitization may produce widespread, inconsistent, or anatomically unclear symptoms.