Assessment of Musculoskeletal Pain: Experimental and Clinical

Introduction Key characteristics of musculoskeletal pain are (i) referred pain to distant somatic structures, (ii) deep-tissue hyperalgesia (general and localized), (iii) the transition from acute to chronic pain, and (iv) disturbed muscle function. Reliable methods for quantitative assessment of musculoskeletal characteristics are available that provide clinical mechanistic and quantitative information that allows clinicians to revise and optimize their treatment plans. In addition, these methods can give information on the mode of action of analgesic compounds that are under development or are currently used for treatment.