How chronic pain exists without

[Guest guest]

The sensitization model to explain how chronic pain exists without

tissue damage –

Pain Management Nursing, Mar 2012

ProHealth.com

by C van Wilgen, Doeke Keizer

February 25, 2012

[Note: Ideally this fee-based guide will also familiarize nurses &

doctors with the evidence for the type of central nervous system pain

sensitization characteristic of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome

(ME/CFS), and other chronic pain conditions.]

The interaction of nurses with chronic pain patients is often

difficult. One of the reasons is that chronic pain is difficult to

explain, because no obvious anatomic defect or tissue damage is

present.

There is now enough evidence available indicating that chronic pain

syndromes such as low back pain, whiplash, and fibromyalgia share the

same pathogenesis, namely, sensitization of pain modulating systems in

the central nervous system.

Sensitization is a neuropathic pain mechanism in which

neurophysiologic changes may be as important as behavioral,

psychologic, and environmental mechanisms.

The sensitization model provides nurses with an opportunity to explain

pain as a physical cause related to changes in the nervous system.

This explanation may improve the patient's motivation to discuss the

importance of psychosocial factors that contribute to the maintenance

of chronic pain.

In this article, sensitization is described as a model that can be

used for the explanation of the existence of chronic pain. The

sensitization model is described using a metaphor.

The sensitization model is a useful tool for nurses in their

communication and education toward patients.

Source: Pain Management Nursing, Mar 2012;13(x). PMID:22341140, by van

Wilgen CP, Keizer D. University Center for Sport, Exercise, and

Health, Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center

Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

[Email: c.p.van.wilgen@...]

Related study: Treatment of central sensitization in patients with

'unexplained' chronic pain: what options do we have?

Jo Nijs, Mira Meeus, Van Oosterwijck, Nathalie Roussel, Margot

De Kooning, Ickmans, in Expert Opinion On Pharmacotherapy (2011)