What is an example of mixed pain?

Mixed pain refers to pain that arises from both nociceptive and neuropathic sources. Nociceptive pain is typically a result of physical damage to body tissues, whereas neuropathic pain stems from damage to the nervous system itself.

Lower back pain can be categorized as mixed pain because it may originate from various structures in the back, such as muscles, ligaments, or intervertebral discs, representing nociceptive pain. Additionally, conditions affecting the spinal nerves or central nervous system can contribute to neuropathic symptoms, such as burning or tingling sensations, making it a complex pain state. This combination of nociceptive and neuropathic factors exemplifies mixed pain, highlighting the multifaceted nature of pain in such cases.

Other options may represent specific types of pain but do not fit the mixed pain category as clearly. For example, spinal cord injury is more aligned with neuropathic pain, while pain from pancreatitis is primarily nociceptive due to inflammation. Internal organ pain can vary but is often classified as nociceptive as well, rather than representing a mixed source.