Different Types of Pain
Understanding different types of pain is important for effective pain management, and for deciding on the most suitable equipment for a patient.
In this article, I discuss four key pain types – nociceptive (somatic and visceral), and neuropathic, and managing them using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological solutions.
Nociceptive Pain
Part of the peripheral nervous system, nociceptors are nerve endings found in the skin, muscle, joints, bone and viscera (internal organs). Their function is to feel all pain that harms – or could harm – the body. Examples include trauma, surgery, burns, pressure from primary tumours and metastases, and skin damage. They also detect chemical damage.
Nociceptive pain is the most common pain we experience, and breaks down into two separate types:
Somatic Pain
Somatic pain occurs because of damage to musculoskeletal structures and certain soft tissues. These include bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles, skin and mucus membranes. People describe it with words such as ‘stabbing’, ‘aching’, ‘cramp’ and ‘sharp’. It’s usually focussed at the injury site, and pinpointing its location is often easy.1
Visceral Pain
Visceral pain occurs when internal organs are inflamed, damaged, diseased or injured. But unlike somatic pain, it’s more vague and less localised. It often feels dull, deep inside the body, and spread out. Other descriptions from people experiencing it include ‘ache’, ‘nagging’ and ‘persistent’.2
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain, unlike nociceptive pain, is caused by damage to the body’s nervous system. This causes pain messages to be sent via the central nervous system to the brain. It may be localised or more spread out, depending on the cause.
People describe neuropathic pain with words which include ‘burning’, ‘shooting’, ‘pins and needles’ and ‘stabbing’. Common causes include diabetes complications, cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke, shingles and complex regional pain syndrome.3
Managing Different Types of Pain
Managing moderate or severe pain may involve the use of opioids. Unfortunately, these have well-known side effects which can be extremely unpleasant, including:4
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tolerance and physical dependence
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Respiratory depression
These side effects in and of themselves can cause further complications including bowel obstruction, addiction, increased risk of respiratory infection, falls, and deconditioning.
Other measures including non-opioid analgesia, nerve blocks, radiotherapy, surgery and a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine or similar are also used to help alleviate pain.
Can an Optimal Bed and Surface Combination Help?
This often isn’t considered, but in fact the right choice of bed and surface can make a significant difference in improving pain management. The Dolphin Therapy fluid immersion simulation surface gives a sensation of floating in water. Its ability to reduce pain is reflected in thousands of evidenced outcomes, where over 99% of highly complex patients experienced improvements in pain management, comfort and sleep.5
When combined with the Aria Lateral Tilt bed, pain can be further reduced. Full platform lateral tilt makes off-loading and repositioning easier, so personal care can be more ‘hands off’. This can reduce stress for the patient and their loved ones, as well as allow them to rest and sleep for longer. And when used with a reduction in opioid analgesia, the patient can be more rested overnight, and more awake during the day.
The ability to reduce opioid analgesia in particular can help with the patient’s quality of life and clinical outcomes if they are no longer experiencing severe side effects.
Conclusion
Somatic and neuropathic pain will respond best to an optimal bed/surface combination. Immersion and envelopment into the surface minimises localised pressure, helping to reduce nerve stimulation. Whilst also utilising lateral tilt means a reduction in painful ‘hands on’ repositioning.
A decrease in the need for analgesia/significant decrease in pain has been evidenced in these powerful anonymised case studies. Barbara was nursed on a lateral tilting bed/Dolphin Therapy combination. Patient D and Peter were not nursed on a lateral tilting bed but did benefit from significant opioid analgesia reduction due to Dolphin Therapy.
References
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Somatic pain. Cleveland Clinic (2024). Online: Somatic Pain Definition, Types & Examples
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Visceral pain. Cleveland Clinic (2024). Online: Visceral Pain: What It Is, vs Somatic, Causes & Treatment
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Neuropathic pain. Cleveland Clinic (2023). Online: Neuropathic Pain (Nerve Pain): What It Is, Causes & Symptoms
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Benyamin R, Trescot AM, Datta S, et al. Opioid complications and side effects. Pain Physician. 2008;11(2 Suppl):S105-S120.
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Medstrom (2025). Data on file.
