StanfordPain

Understanding the difference helps you respond appropriately to pain and avoid unnecessary fear or inactivity.

Harm = pain that signals actual injury. Think: twisting your ankle so badly you tear a ligament. Your body needs a break, and treatment may be needed.

Hurt = pain without lasting damage. Think: you’ve got a Morton’s neuroma in your foot, it stings when you walk or play tennis, but it’s not causing long-term harm. Pain that is not causing harm does not need to be avoided.

Hurt vs Harm: Knowing the difference between them is critical in pain management.

3. Nociplastic Pain

Noninflammatory/Nonneuropathic (Nociplastic) pain involves abnormal nerve signal processing where there is no known tissue or nerve injury (e.g., fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome).

2. Neuropathic Pain

This involves abnormal nerve function (diabetic neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, etc.). Neuropathic pain is usually described as shooting, burning in sensation, particularly along the affected nerve. It is also common to have a numbness and tingling sensation.

Three pain types and what they mean

1. Nociceptive Pain
This is the most common type of physical pain and refers to harmful or noxious stimuli (an injury) which activate receptors (nociceptors) in the body that send a warning signal of potential or actual harm.

Heat and Cold for Pain

Cold
-Reduces inflammation & slows nerve firing → less pain
-Numbs an area effectively
-Use carefully to avoid frostbite
-Regular, safe exposure can increase pain thresholds over time

Heat
-Boosts blood flow
-Relaxes muscles
-Feels good & can reduce perceived pain

Patients deserve the truth. If a procedure is painful, they should be told upfront—and offered options for pain relief.