Unit 3.2 - Pain Assessment

Nociceptive Pain

Inflammation and damage of non-neural tissue.

Often described as dull, aching, throbbing, or sharp.

Neuroplastic Pain

Lesion or disease of nervous system (SCI, stroke, diabetes neuropathy).

Often described as burning, tingling, shooting.

Nociplastic Pain

Pain that results from altered processing of pain signals without clear evidence of tissue damage or nerve injury.

It reflects heightened sensitivity or dysfunction in how the body perceives pain.

Acute Pain

Short-lived, purposeful (warning sign), predictable.

No longer than 6 months.

Chronic Pain

Pain that continues when it should not > 3 months.

Lasts beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury.

Analyzing Pain

Onset: when did the pain begin

Provoking/Palliating: what makes it better or worse

Quality: what does it feel like

Region/Radiation: where do you feel the pain, does it spread?

Severity: rate your pain 0-10

Timing/Treatment: is it constant or intermittent?

Understanding: what do you believe is causing the pain

Values: what are your pain management goals