Functional anatomy of central pain

Central pain is the most difficult type of chronic pain to manage. It results from injury to the ascending pain pathways and associated structures, and may be seen in a wide range of conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. To manage these patients effectively, it is very important to diagnose central pain promptly. A better understanding of the basic pain mechanisms and pathways will aid the clinician in recognizing central pain and help in choosing treatments customized to specific patients. Aggressive treatment of central pain also complies with the recent recommendations made by the JCAHO.