Description
The mechanisms of pain and the ability to control it varies with different pain states. This is of great importance when considering a rational basis for the treatment of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain where damage to tissue and nerve leads to alterations in both the peripheral and central mechanisms of pain signaling. In terms of existing drug therapies this plasticity (the ability of the system to change in particular pain syndromes) explains the effectiveness of NSAIDs in inflammatory conditions and also the limitations of opioids in neuropathic pain.
