What is central sensitization and how does it affect pain?

For many people, the phrase “central sensitization” sounds technical and confusing.

Yet understanding central sensitization may be one of the most important steps toward making sense of persistent pain that seems disproportionate to injury, continues long after tissues have healed, or spreads beyond its original location.

From a clinical perspective, central sensitization has become one of the most significant developments in modern pain science. It helps explain why some people continue to experience severe pain despite normal scans, successful surgeries, or the absence of ongoing tissue damage.