Nociceptive pain and nociplastic pain are two different types of chronic pain.
Nociceptive pain is caused by injury or damage to the body’s tissues, such as a broken bone, burn, or cut. This type of pain is often described as a sharp or dull ache. It’s caused by the activation of nociceptors, which are specialized nerve fibres that respond to damaging stimuli. This type of pain can be treated with painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Nociplastic pain, on the other hand, is caused by changes in the way the nervous system processes pain signals, rather than by injury or damage to the body’s tissues. This type of pain is often described as burning, stabbing, or shooting. It’s caused by a malfunction in the nervous system, and it is not well understood. This type of pain is often treated with a combination of physical therapy, medication, and psychological therapies.
Examples of Nociplastic pain are Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Fibromyalgia, and Central Sensitization.
Nociplastic pain is also referred to as Chronic Primary Pain.
Author: PsychosomaticAddict
Chronic Pain Patient Advocate. Pain Coach. Patient. Living with High Impact Chronic Pain and advocating for proper pain treatment, including opioids where appropriate. Busting the myths. Exposing the actual science.