Major Pain: Rehabilitation Changes to Implement When Pain Sensitization is Present
Abstract:
In the past decade, advances in neuroscience have fundamentally changed the way we understand and manage chronic pain. Pain sensitization describes structural and/or functional changes in the nervous system. These nervous system changes alter pain facilitation and inhibition, which can impact treatment outcomes. The omission of pain sensitization and neuroscience in AT educational standards could lead to misinterpretation of signs and symptoms related to pain sensitization, which can be detrimental to rehabilitation program design. Treatment paradigms are shifting toward pain-mechanisms-based approaches to rehabilitation. These rehabilitation strategies often involve tools the AT already has in their toolbox, but rather require decision-making and a strategic order of application.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the difference between typical pain modulation, peripheral and central nervous system responses in physically active clients/patients.
- Evaluate clinical signs of central sensitization and track these signs throughout rehabilitation.
- Compose appropriate rehabilitation and treatment strategies for individuals with manifestations of central sensitization.
Level:
Essential
Domain(s):
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis
Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention
Orthopedic Domain(s):
Domain 1: Medical Knowledge
Domain 2: Procedural Knowledge
Keywords:
quantitative sensory testing, chronic pain, rehabilitation, exercise-induced analgesia
CEUs:
1.0 Category A
In order to earn your CEUs, you must watch the session video in its entirety, complete the assessment, and receive a certificate of completion. Your statement of credit, reflecting the total CEUs earned for on-demand sessions, will be uploaded to your NATA EducATe transcript in early November. The maximum CEUs to be awarded are: up to 20 CEUs for On-Demand Only Registrants; and up to 5 CEUs for In-Person Attendees (A statement of credit for 15 in-person CEUs will be issued separately.) CEUs will only be awarded for sessions that have a certificate of completion.
Course Expiration:
All sessions of the NATA 76th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by October 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.
Kemery Sigmund, PhD, ATC
Dr. Kemery Sigmund is an Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance at Concordia University Wisconsin in the Exercise Science program. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Hope College, a Master of Science degree from Illinois State University and completed a PhD in Kinesiology with a focus on Biomechanics and Sport Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Sigmund has published in several peer-reviewed journals, and has spoken at state, regional, national, and international conferences regarding her research in chronic musculoskeletal pain, motor function, and biomechanics.