Central Pain Syndrome

PAIN CONDITION

Central Pain Syndrome: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

Central pain syndrome (CPS) is a complex and often debilitating neuropathic condition that can turn everyday sensations into painful experiences. It’s caused by damage to the central nervous system (CNS).[1] Whether you’re newly diagnosed or exploring pain management options, understanding CPS can help you take the first step toward relief from excruciating pain.

About Central Pain Syndrome (CPS)

CPS develops when there’s damage to the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, brainstem and spinal cord, often after an injury, stroke, or other neurological condition.[2] The damage leaves the sensory pathways hypersensitive to stimuli and changes how your body processes pain signals, leading to widespread or localized pain that doesn’t correspond to typical injury patterns.[1] Pain can be moderate to severe, worsened by touch and is usually described as a burning sensation. CPS can occur weeks, months, or even years after the initial CNS injury, making it difficult to pinpoint the cause without medical expertise.[2]

CPS Symptoms

The most common centralized pain syndrome symptom is constant or intermittent chronic pain (lasts longer than 3 months) with no known cause.[3] The whole body may be affected, or only specific areas may experience sensations.[1]

According to Brain Facts, these are symptoms associated with CPS:

Moderate to severe pain
Pain worsened by touch, movement, stress or temperature changes
Burning sensations
Tingling or “pins and needles”
Press or aching pain
Lacerating pain (sensation of being cut or ripped open)
Bouts of intense, intolerable pain
Numbness in affected areas

Centralized Pain Syndrome Causes

Sometimes, the cause of TMJ pain isn’t clear, but it’s often related to excessive strain on the jaw muscles and joints.[3]

CPS is caused by damage or injury to your central nervous system or neurological conditions, such as the following:

Stroke [4]
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) [4]
Tumors [4]
Epilepsy [4]
Brain or spinal cord trauma [4]
Parkinson’s Disease [4]
Brain or spinal surgery [5]
Infections [5]
Concussions [5]

Any chronic pain condition can also lead to CPS, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neuropathy, TMJ disorders and postherpetic neuralgia.[5]

CPS Pain Management Treatments

There is no cure for CPS, but there are treatment options to ease your symptoms and treat the underlying cause. Conservative treatment usually starts with medications like anti-inflammatories, antidepressants and anticonvulsants.[5] Pain not relieved with milder medications may respond to more potent pain relievers, including opioids, and ongoing studies are exploring medical cannabis and ketamine use.[5]

CPS may respond to non-drug alternatives like lifestyle changes and psychological support. Physical therapy, acupuncture, stress management and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help develop coping techniques and change negative thought patterns.

For pain that hasn’t responded to traditional treatment or non-surgical and minimally invasive options to help reduce medication reliance, interventional pain management methods may offer relief. Pain specialists can treat CPS with the following:

Trigger point injections
Nerve blocks
Corticosteroid injections
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
Epidural steroid injections
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Cryoablation
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
Peripheral nerve stimulation
Intrathecal drug delivery systems (pain pumps)

When to Consult a CPS Pain Care Specialist

Chronic pain should never be ignored. Central pain syndrome shares symptoms with other neurological and chronic conditions like neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), making an accurate diagnosis crucial.

Pain specialists take a holistic approach, combining medical and non-medical treatments to address the mind and body. With the right plan, you can reduce pain, manage symptoms, and improve your quality of life.