Allodynia (
Ancient Greek állos "other" and
odúne "pain") refers to central
pain sensitization (increased response of neurons) following painful, often repetitive,
stimulation. Allodynia can lead to the triggering of a pain response from stimuli which do not normally provoke pain. Temperature or physical stimuli can provoke allodynia, which may feel like a burning sensation, and it often occurs after injury to a site. Allodynia is different from
hyperalgesia, an extreme, exaggerated reaction to a stimulus which is normally painful.