New definition of Pain

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has announced the revision of the definition of pain, after a long spanning international consultation process lasting over two years.

The old IASP definition of pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage” was recommended nearly 40 years ago in 1979.

The revised new definition is now "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage". The revised IASP definition also includes six notes and the etymology of the word "pain" for context.

Painaustralia’s own submission to the IASP was supportive of the intention of the IASP to clarify the definition of pain. In particular, we strongly supported the clear link to biological, psychological, and social factors as included in the accompanying notes.

Read our blog on the new definition here.