Pain Science in Practice (Part 5): Central Sensitization II

Abstract

SYNOPSIS: Central sensitization is an umbrella-term for facilitated synaptic plasticity. This editorial explains wind-up, classical central sensitization, and long-term potentiation. Wind-up and LTP are generally considered homosynaptic, while classical central sensitization is classified as heterosynaptic. Wind-up is very short lived and unlikely to play a significant role in chronic musculoskeletal pain, however, both LTP and classical central sensitization could potentially be involved in chronic pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(2):55-58. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11571.

Keywords: central sensitization; classical central sensitization; long-term potentiation; pain; wind-up.