CENTRAL PAIN SYNDROME

Course overview

CENTRAL SENSITIZATION OF PAIN OCCURS WHEN THE PATIENT'S NERVOUS SYSTEM IS PERSISTENTLY IN A STATE OF HIGH ACTIVITY. THIS STATE DECREASES SENSITIVITY TO FIRE ACTION POTENTIALS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THOUGH THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM PROVIDES LIMITED INPUT, THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IS RESPONDING AS IF THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PAINFUL STIMULI. THIS CHAPTER REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF CENTRAL PAIN SYNDROME AND HIGHLIGHTS THE HEALTHCARE TEAM'S ROLE IN MANAGING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.