Overview
What are central pain syndromes?
Central pain syndromes are caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord. The pain originates in the central nervous system and can feel constant and severe.
How common are they?
They are less common but often occur after stroke, MS, or spinal cord injury.
What are the symptoms of central pain syndromes?
- Burning or aching pain
- Sensitivity to touch or temperature
- Constant discomfort in affected areas
- Pain that doesn’t improve with typical pain relief
What causes central pain syndromes?
Injury to the brain or spinal cord can disrupt how pain is processed, causing the brain to send pain signals without a clear cause.
What are the risk factors?
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain tumors
When do they usually start?
Pain often develops weeks to months after the nervous system injury.