Severe pain can be serious or extreme pain but does not have to be a sharp stabbing pain. Any pain that is distressing or debilitating, which causes the sufferer to stop what they are doing is severe. Continuous nagging pain that affects concentration, effectiveness or productivity is also severe.
Example 1
A person who is unable to sit or stand for long periods because of back pain would have intermittent severe pain.
Example 2
A person who finds it difficult to concentrate or carry on with tasks because of an unending severe headache, could be said to be suffering from continuous severe pain. It is a pain which is always there and from which no relief is likely.
