TABLE 4.

Frequency of Descriptive Terms According to Inferred Pain Mechanism (N = 449)

Category	Definition	Descriptorsa	n	%
Somatic	Associated with musculoskeletal tissues that is localized and is often considered sharp	Aching, dull, sharp/like a knife, throbbing, spasm, pounding, splitting, stiffness, sore, bruising, pulling, hurts, prying, wringing/twisting, like being hit/kicked, tension, hard, friction, irritating, grabbing	313	67
Neuropathic	Related to nerves and is often described as itching, burning, or pins and needles	Burning, tingling, shooting, stabbing, jabbing, shock-like, piercing, radiating, gnawing, pinching, touchy, sensitive	82	18
Visceral	Related to the internal organs that is unclear, is not localized, and is experienced as an ache	Pressure, squeezing, deep, dull, cramping, sickening, constant, steady, tightness, gassy/bloated	64	14
Miscellaneous	–	Exhausting, miserable, nagging, indescribable, severe/intense, discomfort, catch, bad, intermittent, annoying, aggravating	20	4

^aListed in order of frequency of participant use

Note. Participants could use more than one category of descriptor. Because of rounding, not all percentages total 100.

Note. Based on information from Levy et al., 2008.