Novel Physiotherapies

Biography

Biography: Areerat Suputtitada

Abstract

Sensitization in corresponding spinal segments plays a major role in the formation of continuous pain in a given part of the body. The term called by Professor Andrew A. Fischer for this phenomenon is “spinal segmental sensitization” (SSS). Chronic pain is contributed by sensitization of spinal nociceptive neurons, regardless of the original provoking events. SSS is a hyperactive state of the spinal cord caused by irritative foci sending nociceptive impulses from a sensitized damaged tissue to dorsal horn neurons. The clinical manifestation of dorsal horn sensitization includes hyperalgesia of the dermatome, pressure pain sensitivity of the sclerotome and myofascial trigger points within the myotomes, which are supplied by the sensitized spinal segment. In Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) first described by Professor Janet G Travell and Professor David G Simons, active myofascial trigger points present lower pressure pain threshold when compared to people with no pain or the presence of only latent trigger points. There are significant elevated levels of substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), bradykinin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), serotonin, and norepinephrine in the vicinity of the active myofascial trigger point. Overall, pH was significantly lower in the active trigger point. Treatment rationale and techniques may evolve from this information, and should be taken into account when dealing with chronic patients with amplified pain responses. The mechanism consists of the nociceptive stimuli generated in the sensitized areas bombarding the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This causes central nervous system sensitization with resultant hyperalgesia of the dermatome and sclerotome and spreads from the sensory component of the spinal segment to the anterior horn cells, which control the myotome within the territory of the SSS. The importance of SSS is emphasized by the fact that it is consistently associated with musculoskeletal pain. The development or amplified activity of MTrPs is one of the clinical manifestations of SSS. The segmental desensitization treatment consists of injection of local anesthetic agents in the involved dermatome to block the posterior branch of the dorsal spinal nerve along the involved paraspinal muscles. In addition, local anesthetic injection is applied peripherally near the foci of irritation in local soft tissue, directly into taut bands and trigger points, using a needling and infiltration technique. Stretching exercises, local heat application and additional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment complete the muscular relaxation after the injections. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can also play a role in desensitization.