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

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

Keywords:
quantitative sensory testing, chronic pain, rehabilitation, exercise-induced analgesia

In order to earn your CEUs, you must watch the session video in its entirety and complete the assessment.

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.