Pain is a complex experience that goes beyond mere nociception and represents a subjective perception. The perception of pain can be influenced by various factors with identical nociceptive input, including attention, emotions, and other cognitive processes. Imaging studies have identified a widespread network of brain areas involved in pain processing, including the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. In chronic pain, neuroplastic changes play a significant role, which can lead to central sensitization. These include structural and functional adaptations of the nervous system. Central sensitization is characterized by an increased excitability of neurons in the spinal cord and brain, leading to heightened pain sensitivity. This process can be amplified by the interaction of bottom-up and top-down mechanisms and contribute to the chronification of pain.