Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a persistent form of pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, often extending beyond the usual course of an acute illness or after an injury has healed. It can also result from chronic health conditions or diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathies. Unlike acute pain which serves as a protective signal warning of injury or disease, chronic pain can become a complex and debilitating condition in itself. It may stem from an identifiable cause, or it might have no clear or direct origin. Physical changes can occur in the nervous system that make the body more sensitive to pain, a phenomenon known as central sensitization.

From a medical perspective, chronic pain management involves a multifaceted approach, often requiring coordinated treatment strategies. This may include medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sometimes antidepressants or anticonvulsants for neuropathic pain. Non-pharmacological approaches are often incorporated, including physical therapy, psychological support, exercise, and interventional procedures like nerve blocks or spinal stimulation. The goal of chronic pain management is to improve function and quality of life, often emphasizing techniques for coping with persistent pain rather than expecting complete pain elimination.