Diagnosis and Treatment of Allodynia

This book serves as a valuable guide for clinicians seeking to deliver impactful interventions aimed at modifying the pain conditions of their patients. Pain is a complex multifactorial condition, while allodynia is led by biological changes induced in the peripheral and central nervous system that can be reverted by having the proper knowledge to assess and treat it. Untreated and persistent neuropathic pain can lead patients into a state of chronicity due to the slow natural recovery of the peripheral nerves and to the generally high intensity pain experience, impacting also on the psychological level leading to mood changes like anxiety and depression. Studies show that the pharmacological strategies to treat this condition have little to null long term effect. Untreated allodynia can manifest in various ways depending on the affected area and the associated biological changes. Sometimes neuropathic pain is a direct consequence of a tissue damage like an injury or a surgical procedure. But in most cases, there is a lack of linear correspondence between long lasting pain an injury detectable by the patient inspection and clinicl assessment . This book guides physiotherapists step by step in setting the proper assesment and work diagnosis and planning a hands-on treatment strategy. Based on the latest research, it demonstrates how to facilitate the physiological healing process with scientific proven effects for pain recovery and functional gain to restitutio ad integrum, when this is possible.