Quiescence (neural quiescence)

Quiescence refers to a state of calm or reduced activity in nerve cells.

In the context of pain medicine, neural quiescence describes a desired therapeutic outcome where overactive neurons and glial cells stop firing excessively and return to a balanced baseline state. This is important because chronic pain is often maintained by abnormal, ongoing activity in the nervous system, even in the absence of ongoing tissue injury.

Achieving neural quiescence can reduce spontaneous pain, hypersensitivity and exaggerated responses to normal stimuli. Interventions that promote quiescence include pharmacological agents (such as anticonvulsants that stabilize ion channels), psychological therapies that reduce stress-driven nervous system activation and techniques like pulsed radiofrequency (PRF). By calming hyperactive circuits, these therapies help restore more normal sensory processing and reduce the burden of chronic pain.