Classification of Chronic Pain

Descriptions of Chronic Pain Syndromes and Definitions of Pain Terms

Second Edition (Revised)

Note: The IASP Taxonomy (based on Part III) was updated in 2011 by the IASP Taxonomy Working Group. View the newest definitions and notes here.

Table of Contents

Taxonomy Working Group
Additional Contributors
Introduction
Abbreviations

Part I: Topics and Codes

Scheme for Coding Chronic Pain Diagnoses
List of Topics and Codes

1. Relatively Generalized Syndromes
2. Relatively Localized Syndromes of the Head and Neck
3. Spinal Pain, Section 1: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes
    Note on Arrangements
    Definitions of Spinal Pain and Related Phenomena
    Principles
    Radicular Pain and Radiculopathy
4. Spinal Pain, Section 2: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Cervical and Thoracic Regions
5. Local Syndromes of the Upper Limbs and Relatively Generalized Syndromes of the Upper and Lower Limbs
6. Visceral and Other Syndromes of the Trunk Apart from Spinal and Radicular Pain
7. Spinal Pain, Section 3: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal Regions
8. Local Syndromes of the Lower Limbs

Part II: Detailed Descriptions of Pain Syndromes

List of Items Usually Provided in Detailed Descriptions of Pain Syndromes

1. Relatively Generalized Syndromes
   1. Relatively Generalized Syndromes
2. Relatively Localized Syndromes of the Head and Neck
   2. Neuralgias of the Head and Face
   3. Craniofacial Pain of Musculoskeletal Origin
   4. Lesions of the Ear, Nose, and Oral Cavity
   5. Primary Headache Syndromes, Vascular Disorders, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Syndromes
      Headache Crosswalk
   6. Pain of Psychological Origin in the Head, Face, and Neck
   7. Suboccipital and Cervical Musculoskeletal Disorders
   8. Visceral Pain in the Neck
3. Spinal Pain, Section 1: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes
    
4. Spinal Pain, Section 2: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Cervical and Thoracic Regions
   9. Cervical Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
   10. Thoracic Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
5. Local Syndromes of the Upper Limbs and Relatively Generalized Syndromes of the Upper and Lower Limbs
   11. Pain in the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand
   12. Vascular Disease of the Limbs
   13. Collagen Disease of the Limbs
   14. Vasodilating Functional Disease of the Limbs
   15. Arterial Insufficiency in the Limbs
   16. Pain of Psychological Origin in the Lower Limbs
6. Visceral and Other Syndromes of the Trunk Apart from Spinal and Radicular Pain
   17. Visceral and Other Chest Pain
   18. Chest Pain of Psychological Origin
   19. Chest Pain Referred from Abdomen or Gastrointestinal Tract
   20. Abdominal Wall Pain
   21. Abdominal Pain of Visceral Origin
   22. Abdominal Pain Syndromes of Generalized Diseases
   23. Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes
   24. Diseases of the Bladder, Uterus, Ovaries, Testis, and Prostate, and Their Adnexa
   25. Pain Perceived in the Rectum, Perineum, and External Genitalia of Nociceptive or Neuropathic Cause
7. Spinal Pain, Section 3: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal Regions
   26. Lumbar Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
   27. Sacral Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
   28. Coccygeal Pain Syndromes
   29. Diffuse or Generalized Spinal Pain
   30. Low Back Pain of Psychological Origin with Spinal Referral
8. Local Syndromes of the Lower Limbs
   31. Local Syndromes in the Leg or Foot: Pain of Neurological Origin
   32. Pain Syndromes of the Hip and Thigh of Musculoskeletal Origin
   33. Musculoskeletal Syndromes of the Leg

Part III: Pain Terms: A Current List with Definitions and Notes on Usage

Classification of Chronic Pain was originally published in 1986, with a second edition published in 1994. Updates were made to selected sections in 2011 and 2012, including the pain definitions (taxonomy). Going forward, because the material will be updated on a periodic and continual basis by IASP's pain experts, this book will no longer be available in a print version. In support of IASP's educational mission, the contents will instead be freely available for download from this website.

This taxonomy book is available online as a reference only. Please contact IASP for permission to use, reprint or translate any IASP publications.