Phantom pain is a sensation of pain that feels like it is coming from a body part that is no longer there. This phenomenon often occurs in individuals who have had a limb amputated. The pain can feel like burning, shooting, stabbing, or cramping, and it can be persistent or intermittent. Phantom pain is believed to originate from the brain and spinal cord, which continue to send pain signals even though the limb is missing. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve changes in the central nervous system and the brain's perception of the body.