What is Pain?

The second type of pain is neuropathic, which comes from damage to a nerve or group of nerves from peripheral or central nervous system.³ This can arise from an injury directly to the nerve, such as a pinched nerve or deep cut, or an underlying disease, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or shingles.³ It can be caused by peripheral nerves (eg, from arms or legs), or the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord).³ The pain can be spontaneous, meaning it can occur without any stimulus. Neuropathic type of pain can also become more harmful than helpful, sending signals of pain or sensations long after recovery.⁴

There can also be a type of pain that happens even without any damage to tissues or nerves, which is called nociplastic pain, such as back pain.⁵ It might occur in different diseases, such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome and can be widespread. Other signs may include hypersensitivity to pain, or sensitivity to touch, sound, and light, or fatigue.⁵ Nociplastic pain is not as well understood as the other two types, and some healthcare practitioners might use other terms to describe this type of pain.⁶

Although pain is a useful signal, it can interfere with daily activities, movement, productivity, and can negatively affect mental and emotional health.⁷ Pain management can help alleviate painful symptoms of a disease or injury until it is healed or manage chronic pain so one can resume their daily activities.