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Nociceptive pain is caused when special nerve endings—called nociceptors—are irritated. Nociceptive pain is the type of pain you feel when you burn yourself, twist an ankle, or stub your toe. It is a dull or sharp aching pain. It can be mild or severe. This type of pain can usually be controlled if the cause of the irritation is removed or treated medically. Nociceptive pain can be a temporary condition, such as when you have a sprained ankle, but it can sometimes be a chronic condition. Cancer pain and arthritis pain are common types of chronic nociceptive pain.
Neuropathic pain is caused by a malfunction of the nervous system due to an injury, disease, or trauma confined to a small area (for example, trauma caused by surgery). Neuropathic pain can be sharp, intense, shocking, or shooting pain. It is also very stubborn in that it does not usually respond as well as nociceptive pain to standard pain therapies such as over-the-counter pain medications (for example, aspirin or ibuprofen) and prescription pain medications.
