Brain mechanisms of anticipated painful movements and their modulation by Manual Therapy in chronic Low Back Pain

Heightened anticipation and fear of movement-related pain has been linked to detrimental fear-avoidance behavior in chronic Low-Back Pain (cLBP). Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) has been proposed to work partly by exposing patients to non-harmful but forceful mobilization of the painful joint, thereby disrupting the relationship between pain anticipation, fear, and movement. Here, we investigated the brain processes underpinning pain anticipation and fear of movement in cLBP, and their modulation by SMT, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Source: The Journal of Pain - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: Original Reports Source Type: research