Pijneducatie activeert de vanuit het brein georkestreerde pijnstilling bij fibromyalgie
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by hypersensitivity of the central nervous system (central sensitization).
One of the major aspects of central sensitization is the dysfunctional endogenous analgesia.
Researchers and clinicians around the globe search for more effective ways of treating (i.e. activating)
endogenous analgesia in chronic pain patients, including those with fibromyalgia.
Since the brain orchestrates the mechanism responsible for endogenous analgesia,
this often implies treatment strategies targeted at the brain.
The first thing that clinicians can do for patients with hypersensitivity of the central nervous system,
is explaining them why they are feeling so much pain, and why nobody can identify the pain-generating source.
This is what pain neuroscience education is all about, and besides being fun for clinicians and patients,
it has been shown to be an effective strategy for improving pain and health status in patients with chronic pain.
A new study from the Pain in Motion research group has shown that pain neuroscience education does not only improves
health status in fibromyalgia, it also improves endogenous analgesia in the long term.
