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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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@mathqueen regrettably my pain went to my central nervous system and im diagnosed with CRPS which tends to worsen over time. Yes i probably have built a slight tolerance but more i think the level of pain is so much worse its really hard for a benzo to eradicate it but it def helps greatly. No doubt im on it for life unless the pain magically disappears.
I really find meditating, sitting in nature ( on good days) does help calm nervous system tremendously and of course pain all comes from the brain, so trying to retrain the brain away from pain is important. About 2 months ago I seriously started following Joe Dispenza and understanding all the scientific reasons behind why meditating is so helpful. Had to understand to become a believer...
Hope this helps.
@anniesezu812 have you heard of the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville AR? They have a wonderful program for CRPS
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I have heard of it. I did do some research and its around 30k I believe. Thank you!!
If I win the lottery I'd be happy to attend. Appreciate the info❤️
@anniesezu812 many people put together a go fund me to finance the program. I went to get Benign Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome addressed and indeed it was successful.
@blowerk1216 I haven't heard of your syndrome. Im going to Google it. That's encouraging and I hadn't thought of a go- fund-me! Gd idea...today the pain is so excruciating I can only stand for about 1 minute...I didnt fully understand when I first read your response ....did you actually go to Spero Clinic? If so, may I ask when and how long were you there...?? Did you like the Program? Im guessing yes!! Thank you informing me of your success!
God Bless!! Im happy you are doing well.
@anniesezu812 I had 14 weeks of four days a week but at the end the neuro muscular pain was alleviated
Thank you. I will look into it.
@less13 I do in my throat. have you found something to help yours?
@mathqueen zI am so sorry the classes did not benefit you. I can sympathize over your hesitation to take a med. that can lead to addition. I guess I look at it from the stand point of quality of life. You mentioned all the wonderful things you can do when taking good the medicine. Sometimes if a person can get on a schedule, they can build up their muscle strength, cognitive abilities etc. to the point they can go off of the med. Just a thought. I'd let my doctor know, if you haven't already, what a difference it makes. I can't take anything but Tylenol for a lot of reasons. But there was a time I was on a pain med. that got me out of bed, and eventually walking 2-3 miles a day and doing floor exercises. I eventually took myself off of the med. By then I had built up muscles strength etc. and felt the best I have felt in a very long time. Chronic pain is not easy to work with. Blessings 💕
@anniesezu812 Hello, I am just seeing your message from September of last year. I have been trying to find out what has been causing my chronic pain in my right side/oblique/flank area just above my right hip.
This has been going on since July of 2023, and I have had multiple images of my abdomen, oblique muscles, low back and hip area, all with the same reply from the doctors; they do not see anything that would cause my pain. I am in pain from when I get up until I go to bed, every day, all day. The muscles on my right side have been permanently locked/spasmed, and none of the procedures / treatments I have had done has made any difference.
Something I wondered at the beginning of this pain cycle, was if I had a torn muscle in my abdomen or oblique muscles. Every new image that did not show anything wrong made me wonder less about a muscle tear. But you mentioned how many years your tear went undiagnosed, and I wanted to reach out to ask about your experience with getting imaging done, and what the doctor(s) were telling you.
Thank you, I hope your weekend is going well,
Marc