Central sensitization

Central sensitization is a process where the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) becomes overly responsive to pain signals.

As a result, normal sensations can start to feel painful, and pain may spread beyond the original site of injury. This mechanism is thought to play a key role in chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome. Understanding central sensitization helps explain why pain can persist even after tissues have healed and why treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach.