Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Role on Notalgia Paresthetica: Case Report and Treatment Review

Notalgia paresthetica is a rarely reported T2-T6 sensory neuropathy whose etiology and treatment are not fully established. Although it is believed to be common in dermatological practice, it remains underrecognized, underdiagnosed, and therefore underreported. This case-report provides a physical medicine and rehabilitation perspective on notalgia paresthetica diagnosis and treatment. This article presents a case report of a 39-yr-old woman with pain, pruritus, and a hyperpigmented area in the right dorsal infra scapular region. The diagnosis of notalgia paresthetica was established. She was successfully treated with topical anesthetics, postural corrective exercises, scapular muscle strengthening, and pectoral muscle stretching. In this context, different treatment options were reviewed. A small set of pharmacological and nonpharmacological techniques were identified. Several of these modalities belong to the physical medicine and rehabilitation field of action.