Cortical somatosensory excitability is modulated in response to several days of muscle soreness

Maladaptive neuroplasticity has been documented in the sensorimotor cortex of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain [13] and is suggested to be an important component of the transition from acute to chronic pain [21]. For instance, increased cortical activity and a medial shift of the cortical representation of the back, interpreted as an expansion of the back's representation into the foot and leg area, has been shown in people with chronic low back pain using magnetoencephalography [13]. In another study tactile stimulation on the back of low back pain patients demonstrated a shift in the locus of primary somatosensory cortical activation compared with low back pain patients with less pain intensity [24].
Source: The Journal of Pain - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: Original Reports Source Type: research