Central sensitization is where a person’s nervous system becomes hardwired to feel pain more
often, and the pain sensation is more extreme. Research points to a correlation between stress
and mood disorders causing central sensitization, which leads to a greater likelihood of the
onset of chronic pain. This theory explains why one person heals completely while another
person suffers for years after the same injury. It also means we have the ability to change our
pain response by rewiring our brain using the magic of neuroplasticity through stress
management techniques such as mindfulness training.