Central sensitization and pain hypersensitivity: Some critical considerations.

Abstract

Since its discovery, central sensitization has gained enormous popularity. It is widely used to explain pain hypersensitivity in a wide range of clinical pain conditions. However, at present there is no general consensus on the definition of central sensitization. Moreover, the use of the term central sensitization in the clinical domain has been criticized. The aim of this paper is to foster the discussion on the definition of central sensitization and its use.