Central Sensitization N=1

Overview

Central sensitization plays a critical role in persistent and complex pain presentations, yet it is frequently under-recognized in clinical practice. In this Embodia course, experienced pelvic health physiotherapist Carolyn Vandyken provides a comprehensive exploration of central sensitization through the lens of individualized patient care - captured in the concept of “N = 1.”

Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience, Carolyn presents a biopsychosocial framework for understanding pain as both a sensory and emotional experience. The course examines the neurophysiology of central sensitization, clinical indicators of a sensitized nervous system, and the limitations of traditional tissue-focused treatment models. Participants will learn how to assess, profile, and treat patients using evidence-informed strategies that incorporate education, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define central sensitization and explain its role in persistent pain syndromes

2. Recognize clinical indicators suggesting a sensitized nervous system

3. Apply validated screening tools such as the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI)

4. Understand the limitations of purely biomedical and tissue-based treatment approaches

5. Implement biopsychosocial treatment strategies using the RELIEF framework

6. Incorporate early pain neuroscience education into clinical practice

7. Identify patient-specific nervous system phenotypes and tailor interventions accordingly

8. Integrate exercise, relaxation, and lifestyle strategies into comprehensive pain management plans

9. Recognize the importance of sleep, psychological factors, and patient beliefs in persistent pain outcomes

Audience

This course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and management of persistent pain, including:

• Physiotherapists and physical therapists

• Pelvic health rehabilitation professionals

• Occupational therapists

• Physicians and nurse practitioners

• Chiropractors and manual therapists

• Rehabilitation and pain management clinicians

Why This Course Matters

Persistent pain conditions often do not respond to traditional local tissue-based treatments, leaving clinicians and patients frustrated. Central sensitization provides a critical explanatory framework for understanding disproportionate pain experiences, widespread symptoms, and treatment resistance.

This course equips clinicians with practical tools to shift from a narrow biomedical perspective toward a patient-centered biopsychosocial model. By improving clinicians’ ability to identify and treat sensitized nervous systems, participants can enhance patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary interventions, and foster greater patient empowerment through education and individualized care planning.

The course also highlights the importance of early pain education, appropriate use of imaging, sleep optimization, and lifestyle interventions - all essential components of modern pain science and evidence-informed rehabilitation.