Despite major advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain, progress in mechanism-based therapies has lagged behind. While a number of different neurophysiological techniques have proven useful to diagnose lesions of the somatosensory system – a prerequisite for the neuropathic pain diagnosis – objective measures of sensitization or spontaneous neural activity are less established. This workshop will focus on the use of pain-related evoked potential, quantitative sensory testing, advanced paradigms of thermosensory integration (thermal grill illusion) and microneurography to close important gaps in our understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms. In additional to classical applications of diagnosing sensory loss, novel paradigms to reveal sensitization processes will be highlighted. The methods will be presented and critically appraised with regard to research and clinical applications. To this end, "bedside" protocols, which can be integrated into the diagnostic routine in dedicated outpatient clinics will be presented.