Nocioceptive Pain (or Nociceptive Pain)

Nocioceptive pain (or nociceptive pain) is a chronic pain condition treated at the Center for Pain Management. Do you have what you would describe as an aching pain or throbbing pain? Do you mainly have localized neck pain or low back pain? If so, you may have what is termed “nocioceptive pain” (sometimes called nociceptive pain).

Nocioceptive pain is the result of stimulation of receptors within structures including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and the outer layers of the disc. Receptors are specialized nerve cells that fire in response to a particular stimulus. For example , certain receptors fire in response to pressure, cold or stretching. Nocioceptors are receptors that are sensitive to stimuli that can potentially or actually cause damage to body tissues. The perception of pain when these receptors are triggered by heat, trauma, pressure, inflammation, lack of oxygen etc. alerts the person that body tissues have been damaged or are in danger of being damaged.

Examples of diagnoses involving nocioceptive pain in the low back include spondylosis (degenerative joint and /or disc disease), facet joint dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spondylolisthesis, myofascial pain (trigger points), compression fractures, sprains, and traumatic fractures. These can be caused by trauma, acute injury, chronic postural stress, osteoarthritis and autoimmune disease.

Nocioceptive pain treatments often include injections into the involved areas including blocking the nerves that supply the facet joints, injections into the sacroiliac joints, and trigger point injections.  In addition, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications, along with physical theraphy, may be helpful for nocioceptive pain management.

Contact the Center for Pain Management, experts in treating nocioceptive pain and nociceptive pain.