Understanding the Different Types of Pain

Whether it is back pain, knee pain or pain in another region of your body, it is important to do what you can to not only feel your best but to prevent further problems from developing. However, this can be difficult if you are not familiar with different types of pain and how they affect you. Each person handles pain differently and at times it may be a fine line between pain that is tolerable and pain that is an indication of a serious injury. Doctors separate pain into a variety of categories to help explain the effects they have. Acute pain typically occurs abruptly and has a limited duration while chronic pain last longer and is somewhat resistant to general medical treatment. Due to the nature of chronic pain, people who suffer from it may be more susceptible to psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety. How Else is Pain Categorized?

Pain can also be classified based on the causes of the factors. The two main classifications are pain caused by tissue damage and pain caused by nerve damage. A third category is psychogenic pain, which is brought on by psychological factors. Most pain is nociceptive, or caused by tissue damage that is the result of an injury to your bones, soft tissue or organs. Nerve damage from diseases or impact to your central nervous system can interfere with the way your brain receives and processes the pain signals, causing pain that may feel abnormal. An example of this is when you feel a burning sensation when no heat is applied to the area that feels like it is burning. To learn more about your symptoms of and to get to the root of the issue be sure to get in contact with your doctor or specialists.