[Central sensitisation and chronic organ-related pain]

Central sensitisation and chronic organ-related pain Central sensitisation is an essential mechanism in chronic musculoskeletal pain. In recent years, increasing evidence has come to light suggesting that central sensitisation is also a cause of chronic organ-related pain. This has several important implications. One is the need for broader professional education in mechanism-based pain classification. Today, simple clinical diagnostic procedures are used for the identification of central sensitisation in chronic musculoskeletal disorders, and these may also prove useful in the classification of organ-related pain. The diagnosis of central sensitisation may also lead to a reduction in extensive investigations and recurrent surgical procedures. Information on central sensitisation (pain neurophysiology education) for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain reduces their fear of pain and increases their self-reliance and coping. A similar therapeutic approach may also be useful in patients diagnosed with organ-related chronic pain.