Implications for our definitions of pain

Abstract

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) definition of pain, by its emphasis on verbal communication, may contribute to the lack of recognition and treatment of pain in certain vulnerable groups of people. Additionally, the definition possesses an inherent Cartesian dualism, which may undermine effective treatment and contribute to stigmatization. Although the definition is valuable in that it addresses the irreducible subjectivity and lack of specificity of the pain experience, certain aspects deserve discussion and revision.