What is nociceptive pain?

Nociceptive pain is sensation resulting from the neural encoding and processing of noxious stimuli. Peripherally localized neurons termed nociceptors are preferentially sensitive to noxious stimuli or to stimuli that would become noxious if prolonged. Nociceptors are capable of encoding stimulus intensities within a range of thresholds from innocuous to noxious range but the stimulus-response relationship peaks in the noxious range.⁵Dubin AE, Patapoutian A. Nociceptors: the sensors of the pain pathway. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Volume 120, Number 11, November 2010, p3761

What causes nociceptive pain?

Nociceptive pain results from a noxious stimulus. Most commonly, the types of stimuli associated with nociceptive pain are classified as chemical, thermal, or mechanical. Injury is a noxious stimulus, but disease is not a direct cause of nociceptive pain. Inflammation may accompany nociceptive or neuropathic pain.⁶National Pharmaceutical Council and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Pain: Current Understanding of Assessment, Management, and Treatments. Reston, VA: National Pharmaceutical Council; 2001