Acute Pain
Acute pain which is primarily due to nociception, it may come from inflammation, tissue damage, injury, illness, or recent surgery. It is of short duration, usually lasting less than a week or two. It usually ends after the underlying cause is treated or has been resolved. Acute pain is a normal response to injury and may be accompanied by anxiety or emotional distress.
Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain might occur due to nociception, but in which, psychological and behavioral factors often play a major role. It persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or a reasonable time for healing to occur, this period varies between 1 to 6 months in most definitions.
Nociceptive Pain
Nociceptive pain is the pain, which is activated in respose to tissue damage or inflammation arising from receptors sensitive to noxious stimuli. It can be perceived as well as localized, constant, aching, dull, throbbing, vague or pressured feeling. Examples are sprains, fractures, arthritis pain.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is the pain, which is associated with injury to the nervous system. It is often described as shooting, shock-like pain with severe burning or aching sensations. The patient might also feel tingling, numbness or pins and needles sensation. Severe cases may have a ripping or tearing sensation. It can be responsive to neurostimulation. Examples are neuropathy,post shingles pain.
Mixed Pain
Most chronic pain is mixed pain. It is a complex condition with the characteristics of nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Pain perception depends on the etiology. Chronic low back and neck pain are likely to present as mixed pain.
