Living with neuropathic pain - What really helps with central pain syndrome

A ray of sunshine that feels like fire. A gentle touch that stings like a needle. For people with central pain syndrome, such stimuli are part of everyday life. What others barely feel becomes a constant burden for them. What happens?

The nervous system sends warning signals - seemingly without any reason or trigger. This is a disturbance in the processing of stimuli deep in the brain or spinal cord. 

Why does this happen? And what helps when pain becomes a permanent condition? We explain this and more in this article. 

Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have any health complaints, please consult a healthcare professional.

If you would like to know which complaints massages can specifically help with, you can find practical answers in the article "From head to toe - where massages can help".

 

When the nervous system switches to pain - and can't find its way back

Central pain syndrome (CPS), also known as neuropathic pain, is a form of chronic nerve pain that does not originate in injured muscles or joints - but in the brain. More precisely: in the central nervous system. 

It often occurs after neurological events such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries.

The result: the body sends permanent pain signals even though there is no longer an acute cause. Typical symptoms of neuropathic pain are Burning, stabbing or electrifying sensationswhich can occur suddenly or be permanent. Those affected often also report Tingling, numbness or hypersensitivity to touch. Sometimes even light contact with clothing or a draught can trigger severe pain.

For many, this is difficult to understand - after all, you can't see the pain. And yet it is real. It affects mobility, sleep, mood - and social life.

The good news is that even if medication is often not enough, complementary approaches such as targeted exercise, massages or assistive technologies can help people to live better with the disease. This is exactly what this article is about.

 

How does a central pain syndrome develop - and what happens in the body?

When the brain "thinks through" the pain

Normally, pain protects us: it signals danger and motivates us to take it easy. However, in the case of central pain syndrome, this mechanism has taken on a life of its own. Injuries or illnesses then lead to pain signals being permanently processed incorrectly - even if the original cause has long since subsided.

This is referred to as faulty processing in the central nervous system. This can lead to a sensory overload: harmless touches, temperature changes or even clothing on the skin are then perceived as extremely painful. The pain pathway is permanently "activated" - without a stop function. This is extremely stressful.

 

Difference to peripheral nerve pain

In any case, it is also important to differentiate it from peripheral nerve pain, such as that which occurs after a slipped disc or nerve entrapment. Here, the cause is usually in a specific area of the body. With central pain, the problem lies in the brain or spinal cord.

Typical triggers are

• Strokesespecially if areas such as the thalamus or sensory pathways are affected.

• Multiple sclerosiscaused by inflammation in the central nervous system

• Paraplegia or spinal cord lesions

• Brain injuries after accidents or operations

• Also Diabetes or shingles can also damage nerves and trigger this form of pain.

As this pain is neurological in nature, it often responds only to a limited extent to traditional painkillers. This makes it all the more important to take a broader view of supportive strategies - from relaxation techniques and body awareness to massages that can have a targeted effect on the nervous system. 

Reading tip: You can find out more about the approach to pain management in our article:"Pain management - "Understanding pain and achieving a better quality of life"

Symptoms & typical pain descriptions for neuropathic pain

The treatment of central pain syndrome usually requires a holistic approach. Medication such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants are also sometimes used to dampen the overactive perception of pain in the brain - of course this does not lead to a cure. A combination of different methods is often necessary to achieve relief.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and exercise therapy play an important role. In addition, psychological support helps to live better with the pain, structure everyday life and cushion emotional stress - because chronic pain affects the psyche at least as much as the body.

For this reason, multimodal pain therapy has proven to be particularly effective. This is an interdisciplinary approach that combines medical, therapeutic and psychosocial treatment. The aim is not only to treat the pain, but to make life worth living again - step by step, individually adapted and with realistic expectations of the treatment.

 

What helps with neuropathic pain?

There are hardly any standard solutions here. The causes, manifestations and personal perceptions are too different. What brings relief for one person has little effect on another. This makes it all the more important to take a multimodal approach that addresses different levels.

Medication - important, but often not enough

As a rule, treatment begins with medication. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants (which have a pain-reducing effect on overactive nerve cells) or painkillers are mainly used here. They are intended to dampen the disturbed stimulus processing in the central nervous system. 

However, many sufferers report that medication is rarely sufficient or is associated with undesirable side effects. This is why modern pain therapies also rely on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

Exercise, therapy, support - the multimodal concept

Exercise can help to "reconnect" the body, strengthen muscles and process stimuli better. Talking to a psychotherapist can also be valuable, not because the pain is "imaginary", but because chronic pain also places a heavy burden on the psyche.

Specialized pain clinics therefore often offer such multimodal pain therapy with the aim of providing patients with new tools for everyday life.

 

What can sufferers of central pain syndrome do themselves? - Strategies for everyday life

Even if central nerve pain cannot simply be "trained away", there are many ways to actively manage it. 

• Movement in a low-pain area helps to restructure the nervous system.

• Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation or mindful bodywork can relieve tension and have a positive influence on how the brain processes stimuli.

• Stimulus reduction plays a major role: some sufferers benefit from consciously avoiding loud noises, bright light or rough clothing. These are all stimuli that can overstress the sensitive nervous system.

• Massages: Especially a gentle variant like Shiatsu can help to calm the nervous system. It promotes blood circulation, relieves slight tension and creates even stimuli that can override the sensation of pain. Many sufferers report relief, especially in the neck and shoulders, as targeted massages can help, relieve neck pain and calm the nervous system.

 

Reading tip: You can find out more about the effect of massages on the nervous system in our article "How massages affect the nervous system".

 

Massage chair as support for chronic nerve pain

In some cases, massage chairs can therefore be a gentle but effective companion for daily pain management. Especially the flexible use in everyday life brings great advantages. Of course, they are no substitute for medical therapy, but they do offer a way to experience physical and emotional relaxation in the comfort of your own home.

What makes them special: The adjustable intensity allows use to be adapted to the form of the day - gentle, pressure-free and without physical exertion. Air pressure massages using airbags envelop arms and legs with even pulses, heat functions soothe overstimulated nerve tracts and help to reduce muscle tension. All this happens passively, without you having to actively do anything - ideal for times when pain dominates.

Models that take sensitive sensibilities into account are particularly suitable - such as the MSW-300which scores with gentle pressure distribution and adjustable massage programs. In addition to massage chairs, tools such as the massage gun can also provide targeted stimulation - but with caution in very sensitive areas.

Tip: You can also find an overview of suitable massage chairs in our health collectionwhich is specially designed for therapeutic needs.

 

Understanding pain - and finding new ways

A diagnosis of "central pain syndrome" is a life-changing event that can turn everyday routines upside down. Optimism and understanding are therefore essential in order to regain control. If you understand what happens in the body, you can take targeted countermeasures. Whether after a stroke, with MS or chronic nerve pain - unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are many small adjustments you can make.

Massage chairs are just one of these and are not part of conventional medicine - but many people find them to be a valuable support in everyday life. They offer calm, structure and stimuli that can help the nervous system to calm down. Perhaps this is a suitable means of getting back to everyday life. Not because the pain disappears. But because you decide how to deal with it.

Tip: Take a look at our category "Massage chairs in health & rehabilitation" section, where you will find models that have been specially developed for sensitive needs.