Type III and Type IV peripheral neurons are nociceptor and present in all tissues, including bone and viscera. These nociceptors respond to released chemical mediators after a tissue injury. The chemical mediators promote inflammation and stimulate the nociceptive systems. When the surrounding tissue in an affected area is placed in a relaxed position, there is an improvement in vascular and interstitial circulation. This may indirectly assist in removal of the chemical mediators, decreasing muscle guarding and reducing further chemical release.
All tissues have receptors that connect to the spinal segments.
Each spinal segment has neural pathways to other tissue in the body. When a spinal segment receives impulses from an injured tissue that exceeds the handling capacity, the central nervous system begins to misinterpret the information. The spinal segment becomes hypersensitive and exposes all other tissue innervated by that segment to receive excessive excitation or inhibition. By reducing the excessive impulse to the spinal segment, secondary to decreasing the stimulation of the involved tissue, it dampens the excitability within the facilitated segment. Evaluation Guidelines SCS is indicated when a patient presents with symptoms such as protective muscle spasm or mechanical joint dysfunction.