Pain Condition
Central Sensitization
By Dr. Anthony J. Gordon, Doctor of Acupuncture | Last reviewed September 2026
Your pain has been around for a long time. It has spread, it flares with things that never used to bother you, light touch can hurt, and you are exhausted. You may have heard it is all in your head, but it is not. Central sensitization is a real, measurable change in how the nervous system processes signals, and it can be calmed.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (516) 597-5400. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.
Overview
Understanding Central Sensitization
Central sensitization happens when the spinal cord and brain become more reactive to signals from the body. After long periods of pain, stress, poor sleep or illness, the nervous system turns up the volume. Normal sensations such as pressure, movement, bladder filling or light touch can be felt as pain, and pain spreads beyond the original area.
It is common in chronic back and neck pain, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, TMJ, IBS and interstitial cystitis. It often coexists with real tissue problems. The original injury may have healed, or may still be there, but the nervous system has become part of the problem. Signs include widespread tenderness, sensitivity to light, sound or temperature, fatigue, poor sleep and pain that fluctuates with stress.
Treatment focuses on calming the nervous system as a whole while treating any muscles or joints that still add to the pain. Dr. Gordon uses gentle acupuncture and carefully dosed dry needling, and coordinates with your physician, therapist or pain specialist.
Central Sensitization at a Glance
Also called
Central sensitivity syndrome, nociplastic pain
What it is
A nervous system that has become more reactive to signals from the body
Common signs
Spreading pain, pain with light touch, fatigue, poor sleep, sensitivity to light and sound
Often seen with
Fibromyalgia, chronic back and pelvic pain, IBS, headaches, TMJ
Approach
Calm the whole system, address remaining tissue drivers, pace activity
The Gap in Care
What Tests Check, and What They Can Miss
Central sensitization does not show on scans or blood tests. People are often told nothing is wrong, which adds to distress.
What routine testing is looking for
- Structural injury on imaging
- Inflammatory or autoimmune disease
- Nerve damage
- Hormonal or metabolic causes
What often keeps symptoms going
- An amplified pain signal in the spinal cord and brain
- Remaining muscle and joint drivers
- Poor sleep and stress feeding the system
- Fear of movement and guarding
- Overly aggressive treatment that triggers flares
These are assessed through a detailed history and a gentle exam, which is how Dr. Gordon approaches central sensitization.
Signs & Symptoms
Does This Sound Like You?
Symptoms vary from person to person. These are the patterns Dr. Gordon sees most often.
Spreading pain
Pain that has spread to new areas.
Pain with light touch
Touch or clothing that feels painful.
Flares with stress
Pain rising with stress or poor sleep.
Fatigue
Exhaustion that does not match activity.
Sensitivity to light, sound or temperature
Heightened sensitivity to the environment.
Pain out of proportion
Pain stronger than any visible cause.
Root Causes
The Four Drivers Dr. Gordon Looks For
Most people have more than one of these in play. Finding which one leads makes treatment more efficient.
Amplified signaling
The spinal cord and brain turn up the volume on normal signals.
Remaining tissue drivers
Muscles and joints can keep feeding the system.
Sleep and stress
Poor sleep and stress keep the nervous system on alert.
Guarding and fear
Protecting against pain can keep the system sensitized.
Your First Visit
How Dr. Gordon Evaluates Central Sensitization
The initial evaluation runs 60 to 75 minutes. You leave with a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms, a written plan, a realistic timeline, and in most cases your first treatment.
- 1
Records and history review
Dr. Gordon takes a detailed history of your pain, sleep, stress, prior treatments and what helps or flares symptoms.
- 2
Gentle sensitivity assessment
Dr. Gordon assesses how widely your body is sensitized, gently and at your pace.
- 3
Tissue driver screen
Dr. Gordon looks for muscle, joint or nerve drivers that are still feeding the system.
- 4
Activity and pacing review
Dr. Gordon reviews your daily activity and flare pattern.
- 5
Plan and coordination
A clear plan, plus communication with your physician, orthopedist or physical therapist when that helps your care.
When to see a physician first
- New weakness, numbness or tingling that is spreading or getting worse
- Numbness in the saddle area or loss of bladder or bowel control
- Back pain with fever, chills or unexplained weight loss
- Pain after a significant fall or accident
- Back pain with a history of cancer
- Severe pain at night that does not change with position
If you have any of these, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.
Bring to your first visit
Records
Recent lab results, imaging reports and specialist notes. These can also be faxed ahead.
Treatment history
A short list of what you have tried and what did or did not help.
Clothing
Something comfortable and loose fitting.
Treatment
How Dr. Gordon Treats It
These are the tools Dr. Gordon uses most often for central sensitization, chosen from your exam findings.
Orthopedic Dry Needling
Dr. Gordon has used dry needling for more than 18 years. Dry needling is used carefully and in small doses to address remaining trigger points without triggering a flare.
See all servicesNeuro-Functional Acupuncture
Gentle acupuncture and electro-acupuncture aimed at calming the nervous system as a whole.
See all servicesPacing Plan & Team Coordination
Pacing, sleep and flare strategies, coordinated with your physician, pain specialist or therapist.
Referring provider? Contact the clinicWhat to Expect
A Typical Recovery Arc
Calm the system
Gentle treatment to reduce overall sensitivity without provoking flares.
Widen your limits
Pain becomes less widespread and flares shorter as the system settles.
Build resilience
Visits are spaced out as tolerance builds, with a long-term pacing plan.
Most patients are seen weekly or every other week during active care. Individual results vary with how long symptoms have been present and how reactive they are. Progress is reassessed at every visit.
Not sure how to describe it? Put your pain or discomfort into words before your visit
Of all the doctors I have met with Doctor G.has been the most kind, caring, empathetic and patient. I feel like most doctors don't listen but Dr. G took the time to make sure I was heard.DRIGO music, Google Review
Central Sensitization Questions
Answers About Central Sensitization
Still unsure whether this is the right fit? Reach out before you book and Dr. Gordon will talk through your history with you.
Before You Book
General Questions
About Dr. Anthony J. Gordon
Dr. Anthony J. Gordon is a Doctor of Acupuncture licensed in New York and board certified. He holds ASE certification in intrapelvic and extrapelvic dry needling, along with advanced certifications in Functional Dry Needling and Neuro-Functional Acupuncture. With more than 18 years of clinical experience and over 3,000 complex cases treated, he focuses on pelvic, spinal and orthopedic conditions that have not responded to standard care, and works closely with each patient's physicians and physical therapists.
Read Dr. Gordon's full bioFurther Reading
Why Pain Can Linger After an Injury Heals: Central Sensitization
From the blog: When pain outlasts healing, a sensitized nervous system is often part of it. A plain look at central sensitization, why it is real, and what helps calm it.
Book an Evaluation for Central Sensitization
Book a full evaluation with Dr. Gordon for gentle, nervous-system-focused care.
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