It has been stated that peripheral neuropathic pain may be one of the most challenging pain conditions seen in clinical practice, let alone suffered by a patient. In recent years there has been an explosion in the research associated with peripheral neuropathic pain. This presentation will in most part focus on the latest thoughts associated with peripheral neuropathic pain including altered ion channel expression, double crush, altered blood supply to the nervous system, retrograde depolarization of axons, the dorsal root ganglion and pathways into central sensitization. Modern pain science has viewed peripheral neuropathic pain from a pharmacological perspective; however, an understanding of the latest science warrants a movement and cognitive- based approach along with pharmacology to help ease the pain experience. Upon developing a greater understanding of neuropathic pain, this course will help clinicians categorize pain mechanisms to further drive physical examinations, clinical reasoning and treatments. In light of the growing evidence for the use of neurodynamics as a test and treatment, the latest evidence for neurodynamics will be discussed. This course will also feature an important clinical “how to” of teaching patients about their pain, pain neuroscience education, which has shown to ease pain, decrease disability and improve neurodynamic tests. Finally, the presentation asks clinicians to “step back” and view neurodynamics and peripheral neuropathic pain from a broader biopsychosocial approach taking into consideration the brain, pain neuromatrix and various systems, i.e., immune, endocrine and more. 

By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to: