Brain Sci. 2026 Jun 25;16(7):664. doi: 10.3390/brainsci16070664.

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is increasingly understood as a multidimensional condition in which, in a substantial subgroup of patients, a protective symptom can evolve into a persistent maladaptive disorder of the nervous system, while in others it may remain closely tied to ongoing mechanical or structural factors. Central sensitization (CS) represents a key mechanism underlying this transition, characterized by enhanced neural responsiveness and impaired endogenous pain inhibition, leading to a dissociation between pain and tissue pathology. The aim of this narrative review is to critically discuss current evidence on CS as a mechanism-based explanation for persistent pain, using lumbar disk herniation (LDH) as a clinical model of the radiological-clinical mismatch, and to discuss its direct implications for identifying sensitized phenotypes, multimodal assessment, and rehabilitation strategies. A total of 77 sources published between 2006 and 2026 were synthesized. These reviewed sources demonstrate that identification of the sensitized phenotype requires a multimodal assessment approach combining self-report measures, such as the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), with psychophysical methods including quantitative sensory testing (QST) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Cognitive-emotional factors are also critical, as postoperative kinesiophobia affects approximately 38.3% of LDH patients and is associated with increased pain intensity and reduced self-efficacy. Management strategies reported in these publications focus on mechanism-based interventions, particularly pain neuroscience education (PNE) and graded, time-contingent exercise, which aim to modify pain-related cognitions and restore endogenous inhibitory processes. These approaches may be supported by adjunctive therapies, including dry needling (DN), electro-dry needling (EDN), centrally acting pharmacological agents (e.g., serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs] and gabapentinoids), and psychologically informed treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While surgical decompression may reduce CS-related symptoms, preoperative sensitization does not necessarily predict poorer outcomes, highlighting the interaction between peripheral and central mechanisms. Adopting a sensitization-informed perspective may encourage a broader integration of contemporary pain models alongside traditional structural views in lumbar disc herniation clinical care.

PMID:42512439 | DOI:10.3390/brainsci16070664