A large body of evidence shows that chronic pain

A large body of evidence shows that chronic pain is associated with disruption of a range of body-related cortical representations. There is some evidence that this disruption contributes to, or maintains, chronic pain. The theory that the disruption reflects maladaptive neuroplastic changes underpins treatments that aim to normalize cortical representations as a way of treating chronic pain. 

This review has touched briefly on some of the changes that occur in the brain when pain persists, and which present barriers to successful recovery. The relation between pain and cortical reorganization has been observed in many chronic pain states. It is not only limited to sensory and motor representations but it could result in disruption across many efferent systems. 

Knowledge about these changes as a result of persistent pain, could provide more insight in why in some patients recovery is delayed. Although the mechanisms behind are not always as clear and straight forward, Treatments that target sensory and cognitive representations using sensory and motor strategies show functional and symptomatic benefits > from Moseley et al.; Neurorehabil Neural Repair 26 (2012) 646 652 . All rights reserved to Sage Journals.