Bringing Pain Neuroscience Into the Arena: A Call to Action in Sports Rehabilitation

Abstract

SYNOPSIS: The study of pain continues to evolve by leaps and bounds. In the last 2 decades, multiple observational studies, clinical trials, and evidence syntheses have attempted to shed light on the relevance of the biopsychosocial model in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. In sports, pain is an area of significant interest for many researchers, sports clinicians, and, of course, athletes. Pain neuroscience is a constantly growing area of research, with important advances in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. We have information about the importance of some pain neuroscience-related mechanisms such as central sensitization, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation of pain in people with chronic pain. However, the number of studies evaluating different areas of pain neuroscience in athletes with chronic pain remains limited. We make a call for action to researchers to expand and improve the quality of research specifically addressing pain neuroscience-related mechanisms in athletes, to better understand and manage their pain experiences. JOSPT Methods 2025;1(2):40-43. Epub 23 April 2025. doi:10.2519/josptmethods.2025.0158