Considerable evidence indicates that alterations in pain perception are characteristic of many clinical pain states. This book examines these pathological alterations in the pain-signaling system, focusing on the functioning of the pain processing system under normal and pathological conditions.

1. Basic Physiology of Pain Perception.- to Nociception, Acute and Chronic Pain.- Animal Studies on Nociception and Pain.- The Peripheral Nociceptive System.- The Central Pain System.- The Physiology of Nociceptive Processing in the CNS.- References.- 2. Assessment of Pain Perception.- Experimental Methods For Pain Induction.- Experimental Methods of Pain Assessment.- Summary.- References.- 3. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Primary Headache: Migraine, Tension-type, and Cluster Headaches.- Epidemiology.- Pain and Functional Impairment.- Psychological Antecedents, Causes and Sequels.- Muscle Tension and Vascular Reactions.- Central Factors.- Disturbance of Pain Perception.- Summary.- References.- 4. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Chronic Back Pain.- Description of the Disorder.- Disturbances in Pain Perception.- Conclusions and Implications.- References.- 5. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Fibromyalgia.- Description of the Syndrome.- Disturbance of Pain Perception.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 6. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Myofascial Pain Syndrome and other Musculoskeletal Pains.- Definition of MPS.- General Characteristics of MPS.- Trigger Points in MPS.- Referred Pain in Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions.- Hyperalgesia in Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions.- Summary.- References.- 7. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Temporomandibular Pain Syndrome.- Epidemiology.- Classification.- Contrasting Concepts.- Regional or Widespread Disorder.- Response to Non-Noxious Stimuli.- Hypervigilance.- Experimental Models of TMD.- Studies of Neurotransmitters.- Response to Stress.- Overview.- References.- 8. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.- Definition and Clinical Presentation.- Epidemiology.- IBS as a Neurologic Disorder.- Animal Models of Persistent Pain State Mechanisms.- Human Neural Imaging Studies of Persistent Pain Conditions.- Somatic Pain Testing in IBS Patients.- Serotonin and IBS.- Psychological Factors in IBS.- Conclusions.- References.- 9. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Menstrual Cycle-Related Disorders.- Pain Perception Across the Menstrual Cycle.- Dysmenorrhea.- Premenstrual Syndrome.- Menstrual Cycle Influences on Other Chronic Pain Disorders.- Conclusions.- References.- 10. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Disorders of the Peripheral Nervous System.- Diabetic Polyneuropathy.- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).- Herpes Zoster.- Trigeminal Neuralgia.- Lumbosacral Radiculopathy.- References.- 11. Disturbances of Pain Perception in Disorders of the Peripheral and Central Nervous System.- General Considerations.- The Clinical Diagnosis of Neuropathic Pain.- Syndromes which may be Accompanied by Neuropathic Pain.- References.- 12. Pain Perception in Psychiatric Disorders.- Anxiety.- Schizophrenia.- Depression.- Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.- Borderline Personality Disorder.- References.- 13. Alterations in Pain Perception in Cardiovascular Disease.- Cardiovascular Variables and Pain Perception.- Mechanisms of Blood Pressure-Related Hypoalgesia.- Pain Perception in Coronary Artery Disease and Other Cardiac Diseases.- Conclusions and Future Directions.- References.- 14. Perception of Pain during Pregnancy and Labor.- Physiological Changes During Pregnancy.- Pain and Discomfort in Pregnancy.- Physiology of Labor.- Labor Pain.- Memory for Labor Pain.- Factors Affecting Pain during Labor.- The Effect of Acupuncture on Pain and Use of Analgesics during Labor.- The Role of Endogenous Opioids in Pain Processing during Pregnancy and Labor 206.- Experimental Studies of Pain Perception in Pregnancy and Labor.- Conclusion.- References.- 15. The Importance of Quantitative Sensory Testing in the Clinical Setting.- Applications of QST.- Advantages and Disadvantages of QST.- Is QST Clinically Relevant?.- Future Directions for Clinical Applications of QST.- References.