Managing Chronic Pain through Peripheral and Central Targets

Peripheral means of managing pain include anti-inflammatories like aspirin and ibuprofen, which target pain before it reaches the spinal cord. Additionally, targeting the spinal cord using methods like spinal cord stimulators or dorsal root ablation can be effective, although they are more invasive. However, targeting chronic pain becomes challenging as it becomes centralized, leading to long-lasting central sensitization processes. These changes occur in the brain and physiologically at the spinal cord level, affecting the individual's response to nociceptive stimuli and sensory input.