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
  2. Relatively Generalized Syndromes
  3. Relatively Localized Syndromes of the Head and Neck
  4. Neuralgias of the Head and Face
  5. Craniofacial Pain of Musculoskeletal Origin
  6. Lesions of the Ear, Nose, and Oral Cavity
  7. Primary Headache Syndromes, Vascular Disorders, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Syndromes
    Headache Crosswalk
  8. Pain of Psychological Origin in the Head, Face, and Neck
  9. Suboccipital and Cervical Musculoskeletal Disorders
  10. Visceral Pain in the Neck
  1. Spinal Pain, Section 1: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes
  2. Spinal Pain, Section 2: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Cervical and Thoracic Regions
  3. Cervical Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
  4. Thoracic Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
  1. Local Syndromes of the Upper Limbs and Relatively Generalized Syndromes of the Upper and Lower Limbs
  2. Pain in the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand
  3. Vascular Disease of the Limbs
  4. Collagen Disease of the Limbs
  5. Vasodilating Functional Disease of the Limbs
  6. Arterial Insufficiency in the Limbs
  7. Pain of Psychological Origin in the Lower Limbs
  1. Visceral and Other Syndromes of the Trunk Apart from Spinal andRadicular Pain
  2. Visceral and Other Chest Pain
  3. Chest Pain of Psychological Origin
  4. Chest Pain Referred from Abdomen or Gastrointestinal Tract
  5. Abdominal Pain of Neurological Origin
  6. Abdominal Pain of Visceral Origin
  7. Abdominal Pain Syndromes of Generalized Diseases
  8. Abdominal Pain of Psychological Origin
  9. Diseases of the Bladder, Uterus, Ovaries, Adnexa
  10. Pain in the Rectum, Perineum, and External Genitalia
  1. Spinal Pain, Section 3: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes of the Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal Regions
  2. Lumbar Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
  3. Sacral Spinal or Radicular Pain Syndromes
  4. Coccygeal Pain Syndromes
  5. Diffuse or Generalized Spinal Pain
  6. Low Back Pain of Psychological Origin with Spinal Referral
  1. Local Syndromes of the Lower Limbs
  2. Local Syndromes in the Leg or Foot: Pain of Neurological Origin
  3. Pain Syndromes of the Hip and Thigh of Musculoskeletal Origin
  4. Musculoskeletal Syndromes of the Leg

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

Classification of Chronic Painwas 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. Pleasecontact IASPfor permission to use, reprint or translate any IASP publications.