Jacqui Clark MSc(UK), PhD(c), MPNZ, MCSP 
Physiotherapist, Post Graduate Lecturer & PhD Researcher,
Manchester Metropolitan University UK and Brussels Vrije University Belgium

Jacqui Clark qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1989 in London, and is currently undertaking research for her PhD through Manchester Metropolitan University UK and Brussels Vrije University, Belgium. Her area of interest is central sensitisation (CS) pain and the possible factors that contribute to the development of CS in the non-specific chronic low back pain population.

Since 1997, Jacqui has been giving post graduate physiotherapy lectures, workshops and conference presentations worldwide, and is guest senior lecturer on the Physiotherapy Masters Degree Programme at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Jacqui is an active member of the Pain in Motion international research collaboration group lead by Professor Jo Nijs. In addition she is a member of the Cognitive Motor Function research group lead by Prof Ian Loram of the Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health (IRM), Manchester UK.

Jacqui now shares her time between the UK and New Zealand and has her home and clinical caseload near Tauranga, New Zealand.

Abstract

Trait Sensory Processing and Anxiety in Central Sensitisation Pain

Jacqui Clark1,2,3, Prof Dr Jo Nijs2,3, Dr Gillian Yeowell1, Dr Peter Goodwin1

1Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
2Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
3Pain in Motion International Research Collaboration

Patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and central sensitisation (CS) have been shown to exhibit sensory processing alterations, somatosensory hypersensitivity and differences in the brain's emotional networks. In populations with CS the physiological mechanisms associated with sensory sensitivity appear to be similar to those seen in populations with high anxiety and abnormal trait sensory processing profiles. Our current research explores the concept that the extent of CS pain might be related to the patient's own trait sensory processing and anxiety characteristics and is discussed here. The pilot study confirming concept plausibility is presented and the relationships found between trait sensory profiles, trait anxiety sub-types and CS pain are described.