Which pain type is described as having no useful function but still causes suffering?

Maladaptive pain is characterized as pain that serves no beneficial or protective purpose in the body. Instead of fulfilling a role in healing or warning about potential harm, maladaptive pain often persists beyond the expected duration of typical tissue healing, leading to chronic suffering without a clear physiological benefit.

This type of pain is typically linked with conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic pain syndromes, where the nervous system continues to send pain signals even in the absence of an ongoing injury. Such pain can significantly impact a person's quality of life, causing distress and functional impairment while failing to assist in any constructive physiological process.

The distinction is important, as maladaptive pain emphasizes the need for different treatment approaches compared to adaptive pain, which functions to protect the body and promote healing. Adaptive pain is typically acute and resolves as the underlying injury heals, while maladaptive pain is chronic and dysregulated.