What Is Pain Threshold?
Pain Threshold is the point at which a person first notices a stimulus as painful. The point can differ between people and can change with sleep, stress, illness, mood, or repeated pain. Pain threshold describes the start of pain, not how long someone can tolerate pain after it begins.
Quick Facts About Pain Threshold
Category
Pain science term
Used for
Describing pain sensitivity
Common confusion
It differs from pain tolerance
Also called
Pain sensitivity threshold
Often discussed with
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Key Takeaways About Pain Threshold
- Pain threshold marks the start of pain.
- The point can change from day to day.
- Threshold and pain tolerance are different measures.
How Pain Threshold Works
Pain Threshold describes the point when a physical signal becomes painful to you. The signal may involve pressure, heat, cold, or touch. A clinician may observe your spoken response and physical reaction during an exam.
Related glossary terms: Pain Scale, Central Sensitization, Chronic Pain.
Pain tolerance describes what happens after pain starts. A person may notice pain quickly but continue an activity, while another person may notice pain later and stop sooner. Fibromyalgia can involve increased sensitivity to signals, so reported pain may not match the amount of pressure used during an exam. Sleep, stress, mood, and past pain can also affect responses.
From the Premier Injury Specialists team
When we assess fibromyalgia symptoms, we ask when a sensation becomes painful and how the response affects daily tasks. We also compare the report with sleep, stress, activity, and other symptoms. Our team treats the reported experience as meaningful clinical information, not as a test of character.
Pain Threshold in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person with fibromyalgia may notice tenderness from light contact during an exam. The response shows where the pain threshold may be lower that day, while it does not measure overall strength or effort.
Related Services
Related Terms
Pain Scale
Pain Scale is a clinical tool that helps you describe how severe your pain feels. A…
Central Sensitization
Central Sensitization is a change in the nervous system that makes pain signals feel stronger or…
Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain is pain that continues or returns over an extended period and may remain after…
Allodynia
Allodynia is pain caused by a touch or movement that usually does not hurt. A light…
Premier Injury Specialists
Have Questions About Pain Threshold?
Contact Premier Injury Specialists for practical guidance on Pain Threshold and related pain management physician work in Stonecrest.