It is diagnosed by its clinical features and lack of response to regular painkillers. Pain is experienced in several body parts, and is often widespread and intense. There may be associated tiredness, and difficulties with memory, mood and sleep. It can occur on its own in conditions such as tension headache or fibromyalgia, or combined with other pain categories such as in chronic back pain. Tools to measure central sensitization include sensory tests to painful stimuli, magnetic resonance imaging and measures of cytokines and neurotrophines in the blood and urine. Self-report questionnaires such as the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Sensory Hypersensitivity Scale are also used.
Nociplastic pain
Psychogenic pain
Neuropathic pain
Phantom pain
Functional somatic syndrome
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Paroxysmal extreme pain disorder
Psychedelic experience