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We explored CSS in a previous post. Let's take a deeper look at its impact.
People with chronic pain and other chronic symptoms may have a central nervous system that has become sensitized over time. Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS) can be described as a louder message from the body to a more sensitive receiver in the brain. When you have sensitization, your body overreacts to sensory signals as if they are dangerous. This can result in worsening of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea or other movement related challenges. The long-term consequences of this upregulated system can include:
- Physical deconditioning
- Emotional distress
- Increased reliance on medications to feel better
- Increased frequency of treatments or interventions
- Decreased functioning
- Decreased quality of life
What is the best approach to address these consequences?
Unfortunately, there is no way to turn back the clock and “un-sensitize” your nervous system. Patients are often left feeling frustrated by the lack of effective treatments.
In the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) program, patients learn lifestyle management, stress management and physical re-conditioning strategies to improve their ability to effectively engage in their daily activities. This approach enables patients to not only improve their functioning, but in time can also lead to improvement in symptoms as well.
Some examples of functional improvement for our PRC graduates:
- Travel: local and international
- Vocation: Work, school or volunteering
- Family life and caregiving
- Leisure and recreational activities: crafts, reading, kayaking, hiking
- Community involvement and social activities
Patient outcomes also include improved mood, decreased anxiety, decreased interference from symptoms and a better perception of health.
Getting back to life is the goal and focus on function is an effective tool.
Authors: Kyle Bovee DPT, Tanya Crowder OTR/L and Elke Lacayo OTR/L
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Hello Marc, absolutely No imaging revealed anything for me, no MRI's, no xrays, no CT scans, nothing. Drs only found it when at end of my ability to withstand horrendous pain they did laporoscopy. They also erroneously suspected severe inflammation of the appendix, due all my digestive issues. Appendix were fine/ I knew this but kept quiet since it finally got me surgery, whilst " under" they checked epigastric location, found tear. I personally dont think from your description of symptoms it sounds like a tear but of course I could well be wrong.
My tear was very definitely felt as I did it...felt like I imagine a hernia would , tearing , popping sensation.
Given you felt muscle locking, spacisity, im wondering if you have a nerve issue. Can you recall doing anything that may have damaged a nerve? What type of pain do you have? Nerves dont always show on scans and if you not a cookie cutter case you're pretty much on your own, Drs dont have time to figure you out.
If you have burning, stabbing , gnawing pain it could be nerve damage or maybe a trapped nerve.
Can you please give more details about your pain, how it affects you. Im no Dr but during my journey I have learnt a tremendous amount and am disgusted that whilst Drs may have good knowledge it doesn't mean it translates into good diagnostics. In many cases I have been correct, they have been wrong, I live it, they don't.
Sorry I dont have more concrete answers your pain isn't like mine is / was. Mine has traveled to my spine. Good luck. Pls respond if you think it helpful.
PS did your research indicate Piriformis syndrome...causes very severe pain, symptoms like yours???