“there is now a considerable body of research indicating that chronic pain states are the result of complex sensitisation processes within the sensory nervous system.”Consequently, Dr Berry argues that MUPS no longer applies to non-specific low back pain, musculoskeletal pains, post-whiplash syndromes, chronic abdominal and pelvis pains, atypical facial pains, non-cardiac chest pains, and fibromyalgia — presumably because the added sensitivity of the nervous system does explain the patient's painful symptoms.
Dr Berry’s article explains that when pain becomes a long-term affliction, pain is no longer viewed as a symptom but as the primary condition to be treated and managed. Pain itself is the “diagnosic passport” which which a patient can access services. If you suffer from permanent pain, your condition may be given the label Chronic Persistent Pain Syndrome.
On the letters page in the most recent issue of Private Eye (issue 1301) Dr G.R. Harrison wrote a correction about the nature of Fibromyalgia (FMS) and I think his description is the best description of chronic pain conditions, so far:
"The disorder (FMS) is due to abnormal central nervous system processing of sensory inputs, producing what many people now describe as a "pain amplification" condition. Therefore people with FMS will feel pain at a much lesser level of sensory stimulation than normal people, hence its association with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Irritable Blabber Syndrome, Non-Carcinogentic chest pain, etc."If you are diagnosed with a chronic pain condition you can reasonably expect to be referred to a multidisciplinary pain management clinic.
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