A palpometer device (10, 110) for use by an examiner to assess deep pain sensitivity of a patient by providing a uniform and repeatable stimulation to the patient, comprising: a housing (12, 112); a probe (14, 114) supported axially within the housing for axial movement between a first position and a second position, said probe having a proximal end (16, 116) which is extended from an axial bore (18, 118) in said housing in both said first and second positions, and a distal end (26, 126) which is contained within said housing in said first position, and which is extended from an axial bore (28, 128) in a distal surface (30, 130) of said housing opposite from said proximal end in said second position; a single bias means (24, 124) disposed within said housing, said bias means configured to bias said probe axially towards said first position; wherein the palpometer device is configured such that an axial force can be selectively exerted between the probe proximal end and a patient to move the probe from said first position axially towards said second position relative to said housing; wherein said probe (14, 114) and said bias means (24, 124) are cooperatively configured such that said distal end (26, 126) is displaced flush with said housing distal surface (30, 130) when said exerted axial force reaches a predetermined force threshold; wherein said probe and said bias means are cooperatively configured such that said distal end (26, 126) is extended from said housing distal surface (30, 130) when said exerted axial force exceeds said predetermined force threshold; wherein the palpometer device is adapted such that no part of the palpometer device is located in the axial bore (28, 128) in the distal surface (30, 130) in said first position of the probe (14, 114); wherein the distal end of the probe has an indicator tip (26x, 126x); wherein said predetermined force threshold is between 0.5 kg and 4.0 kg; and wherein said bias means (24, 124) is adjustable to select said predetermined force threshold. a housing (12, 112); a probe (14, 114) supported axially within the housing for axial movement between a first position and a second position, said probe having a proximal end (16, 116) which is extended from an axial bore (18, 118) in said housing in both said first and second positions, and a distal end (26, 126) which is contained within said housing in said first position, and which is extended from an axial bore (28, 128) in a distal surface (30, 130) of said housing opposite from said proximal end in said second position; a single bias means (24, 124) disposed within said housing, said bias means configured to bias said probe axially towards said first position; wherein the palpometer device is configured such that an axial force can be selectively exerted between the probe proximal end and a patient to move the probe from said first position axially towards said second position relative to said housing; wherein said probe (14, 114) and said bias means (24, 124) are cooperatively configured such that said distal end (26, 126) is displaced flush with said housing distal surface (30, 130) when said exerted axial force reaches a predetermined force threshold; wherein said probe and said bias means are cooperatively configured such that said distal end (26, 126) is extended from said housing distal surface (30, 130) when said exerted axial force exceeds said predetermined force threshold;