Chronic Pain Explained: When the Nervous System Becomes Overprotective
- Julian Simpson
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
Chronic Pain Explained: When the Nervous System Becomes Overprotective
Chronic musculoskeletal pain — including low back pain, neck pain, and myofascial pain — is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts longer than three months, and for many people, it can persist for years or even decades.
Chronic pain doesn’t just affect physical comfort. It impacts sleep, mood, work productivity, and overall quality of life. It also places a significant burden on healthcare systems globally. As populations age, the number of people living with chronic pain continues to rise — highlighting the need for effective, long-term, and cost-efficient care strategies.
Why Chronic Pain Is More Than a Tissue Problem
For a long time, pain was thought to be directly linked to tissue injury — muscles, joints, or discs. While this is true for acute injuries, research now shows that chronic pain often persists even when tissues have healed.
One of the key drivers behind this is a process known as central sensitisation.
Central sensitisation occurs when the nervous system becomes overly sensitive and reactive. The brain and spinal cord begin to amplify pain signals, meaning:
Pain feels stronger than expected
Pain can occur with light touch or movement
Pain spreads beyond the original area
Pain lasts longer than normal healing timelines
In short, the nervous system becomes overprotective.
Does this sound like something you might be experiencing? We are here to help!
How the Nervous System Changes With Chronic Pain
When pain signals repeatedly bombard the nervous system, changes occur at multiple levels:
Spinal cord: Pain-processing neurons become more excitable
Brain: Areas responsible for movement, sensation, emotion, and fear become more sensitive
Pain inhibition systems: The body’s natural ability to dampen pain becomes less effective
This helps explain why people with chronic pain often experience:
Heightened pain from simple movements
Muscle tightness or guarding
Poor posture or altered movement patterns
Fatigue, brain fog, sleep issues, anxiety or low mood
Importantly, these changes are real neurological adaptations — not imagined or “all in the head.”
What Is Nociplastic Pain?
Some chronic pain conditions fall under a category called nociplastic pain. This refers to pain caused by altered pain processing rather than clear tissue damage.
Common features include:
Widespread or non-specific pain
Sensitivity to pressure, touch, temperature, or movement
Poor sleep, fatigue, mood changes
Pain that doesn’t behave mechanically
Conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, chronic myofascial pain, and persistent headaches often show nociplastic features.
How Us Chiros Identify Nervous System–Driven Pain
Because central sensitisation isn’t visible on scans, assessment relies on:
Detailed history and symptom patterns
Pain questionnaires that assess sensitivity and pain impact
Physical examination findings, such as widespread tenderness
Identifying pain that is disproportionate, unpredictable, or persistent
Understanding the mechanism of pain allows care to be tailored appropriately — rather than chasing structural “faults” that may not be the true driver.
Where Chiropractic Care Fits In
Chiropractic care, including spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), is widely recommended for neck pain and low back pain in clinical guidelines. While spinal adjustments improve joint motion and biomechanics, research increasingly suggests they also influence the nervous system.
Studies show that spinal manipulation can:
Reduce overactivity in pain-processing pathways
Improve pressure pain thresholds
Modulate muscle tension and motor control
Influence brain regions involved in pain and movement
Rather than “fixing” damaged tissue, chiropractic care may help reset abnormal pain signalling, especially when pain has become persistent.
Why Treatment Must Be Individualised
Not all chronic pain responds the same way. Research shows that:
Treatment effects vary between individuals
Results may depend on which spinal segments are treated
Long-term outcomes require more than hands-on care alone
This is why modern chiropractic care should include:
Education about pain and the nervous system
Movement retraining and rehabilitation exercises
Lifestyle strategies for sleep, stress, and recovery
Clear communication about expectations and evidence
The Take-Home Message
Chronic pain is not simply a sign of damage — it is often a sign of a sensitised nervous system.
The good news is that the nervous system is adaptable. With the right combination of education, movement, manual therapy, and reassurance, it can learn to calm down again.
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we focus on understanding why your pain persists — not just where it hurts — so we can help you move with confidence and regain long-term control over your health.
For more information about how we can help YOU with your pain and improve your underlying dysfunction so the problem doesn’t come back .
Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
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Vazic O, Antony NT, Murray J, Murphy B, Srbely J. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of spinal manipulative therapy in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2025 Nov;69(3):330-342. Epub 2025 Nov 30. PMID: 41425291; PMCID: PMC12716896.
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