Glial cells and persistant pain

I thought this might be of interest - new ideas about chronic and persistent pain.  Well at least they are new to me   Peter often has pain that seems too intense for what is causing it - and sometimes pain for no perceivable reason. We are told that the medical term for it is allodynia (pain resulting from a stimulus, such as a light touch of the skin, which would not normally provoke pain) - but didn't really understand what it is, except it is due to his dodgy nervous system wiring. 

The TED talk is fascinating and explains chronic pain well but sadly gives no solutions,though it does give some hope for a solution. I have also included a piece from The Scientist magazine which helped me understand how the glial cells contribute to persistent pain.

www.ted.com/talks/elliot_krane_the_mystery_of_chronic_pain#t-474946

www.the-scientist.com/features/glial-ties-to-persistent-pain-30148