Somatic pain is a type of pain that occurs when pain receptors in tissues such as the skin, muscles, joints, and bones are activated
. It is characterized as well-localized, intermittent, or constant and can be described as aching, gnawing, throbbing, or cramping
. Somatic pain can be divided into two forms:
- Superficial somatic pain : This occurs when pain receptors in the skin, mucus, and mucous membranes are activated, usually caused by common everyday injuries
- Deep somatic pain : This occurs when stimuli activate pain receptors deeper in the body, including tendons, joints, bones, and connective tissues
Somatic pain is different from visceral pain, which occurs when pain receptors in the pelvis, abdomen, chest, or intestines are activated
. Visceral pain is often vague and may feel like a deep squeeze, pressure, or aching
. Somatic pain can be experienced due to various reasons, such as damage to internal organs and tissues, and it is not always clearly defined
. It is essential to communicate the type and location of pain to help doctors choose the best plan of treatment
. In most cases, both somatic and visceral pain will diminish and resolve themselves after a few days, but if the pain is severe or does not subside after a week, medical care should be sought
