Quantification of musculo-skeletal pain by pressure algometry

This article is a summation of almost all the literature pertinent to pressure algometry. A brief description of the reasons for the selection of pressure algometry as a worthy technique for the measurement of pain and the history of its development are presented. A review of the literature with respect to inter- and intra-subject variations of pain threshold and tolerance to pain is discussed. Potential factors which influence measurement, such as cooperation, motivation and personality of the subjects are reviewed. A plea is made for the use of electronic algometers for the measurement of pain, especially in musculo-skeletal syndromes.