The pressure algometer probe tip is usually held stationary and pressure is steadily increased from zero until a pressure pain threshold (PPT) is elicited. In order to explore the extent of surface markings of abnormally tender regions in more detail an improved method is proposed whereby the pressure algometer is not kept still. It is slid over the tissues at a predetermined downward pressure and velocity to produce compressive, tensile and shear stress within underlying tissues. It is moved over surrounding non-tender regions until it reaches the surface overlying an abnormally tender region where a PPT is evoked. The probe is removed immediately and the skin marked. When this is repeated from different directions, the boundary of the surface markings of a tender region will appear in corresponding detail. Provided that this ‘sliding pressure algometer’ produces sufficiently similar amounts of stress when applied on separate occasions, it can be used to monitor the progress of a condition or the effects of treatment. To reduce cost and increase availability, this pressure algometer may be made of a plastic syringe converted into a gas-tight chamber.
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