An apparatus for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient includes a housing and a probe supported by the housing and having a probe tip. The probe is adapted for selective longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a first probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially extended from the housing, and a second probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially retracted into the housing. A first biasing means is adapted to urge the probe toward the first probe position. A predetermined motive force is selectively exerted between the probe tip and the patient to move the probe from the first probe position to the second probe position. The motive force is indicative of tactile sensitivity of the patient. A method for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient is also described.