Your body is created in a way that will allow it to be your own alarm for when you are in pain. This type of alarm is sent through the nervous system, an intricate system that both commands the body and lets your brain know when it is in pain, being touched, etc.
For example, if you get a papercut, your nerves will send a signal to your brain that they have been cut and it will sting. If you break your arm, your nerves in the area will send a signal to your brain that a bone has broken and tissue is torn, and it will hurt.
It’s a simple system. However, that simple system can sometimes backfire and cause more harm than good.
What is Central Sensitization?
Central sensitization is a condition where the nervous system is constantly on high-alert when it shouldn’t be. It’s called “wind up” and it keeps your nervous system in a constant state of high reactivity to any type of touch.
Normally once an injury has occurred the nervous system goes back down to normal and is able to identify a normal touch from a painful one. When the nervous system is in central sensitization all the time, it can not.
The condition lowers the threshold for what causes pain and sometimes even causes pain to last far after the injury or action has passed or healed.
For example, normally if someone were to walk by and bump you, it wouldn’t register to your body as painful unless they pushed you and caused you to hit something. If a body has the condition of central sensitization, your nervous system would register that as a painful touch and you could feel intense or severe pain from a simple bump.
How Does it Affect Pain and Pain Management?
If someone is experiencing central sensitization, it can make pain and pain management a miserable experience. It can cause some patients to even feel like they are going crazy and lead to negative mental health effects.
In many cases, patients reach out to others to tell them their symptoms and it’s those people who think the patient is going crazy, leading the patient to spiral mentally and then not go to their doctor or an expert for help.
Unfortunately, there is no one cause for central sensitization. It can be brought on by many things from fibromyalgia to irritable bowel syndrome. However, identifying some of the possible symptoms associated with the condition can allow people to seek help when they need it.
Some symptoms of central sensitization include:
- Inability to handle light touches, such as bumps
- Sensitivity to light and smell
- Mood swings
- Poor memory
After all, the nervous system doesn’t just control pain it also helps control the senses so sometimes it can affect those as well. No matter the situation, someone should always seek help if they feel as though they can’t handle pain at all.
Where Can I Go For Help?
Having a diagnosis of central sensitization can be overwhelming. It can feel like you’ll never be able to live a normal life again and you’re always going to be in pain.
That’s where the trained professionals of South Orange Chiropractic Center can help.
Our doctors are dedicated to pain prevention and treatment without the need for medication. We focus solely on the body and figuring out ways to relieve stress and make things more manageable for your life.
We sit down with each of our patients and identify the steps they want to take and the goals they want to reach. From there, we create a treatment plan that’s right for them and work on that until the patient feels better and more in control of their body.
If you or someone you know is struggling with central sensitization, reach out to us today on our website. Let’s get you back on your feet and in control of your pain.
