Usually, pain is considered chronic if it does one of the following:
Lasts for more than 3 months
Lasts for more than 1 month after the injury or problem that originally caused pain has resolved
Recurs off and on for months or years
Is associated with a chronic disorder (such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia) or an injury that does not heal
(See also Overview of Pain Overview of Pain Pain is an unpleasant sensation signaling actual or possible injury. Pain is the most common reason people seek medical care. Pain may be sharp or dull, intermittent or constant, or throbbing... read more .)
Chronic pain sometimes occurs when nerves become more sensitive to pain. For example, the original cause of the pain may repeatedly stimulates the nerve fibers and cells that detect, send, and receive pain signals. Repeated stimulation can change the structure of nerve fibers and cells (called remodeling) or make them more active. As a result, pain may result from stimulation that might not ordinarily be painful, or painful stimuli may seem more severe. This effect is called sensitization.
Also, areas of muscle or connective tissue may become very sensitive and tender to the touch. These areas are called trigger points because touching these areas frequently triggers unexplained pain that radiates to other areas of the body.
Chronic disorders (such as cancer Overview of Cancer A cancer is an abnormal growth of cells (usually derived from a single abnormal cell). The cells have lost normal control mechanisms and thus are able to multiply continuously, invade nearby... read more , arthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoarthritis is a chronic disorder that causes damage to the cartilage and surrounding tissues and is characterized by pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Arthritis due to damage of joint... read more 
, diabetes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Symptoms of diabetes may... read more , or fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is characterized by poor sleep, fatigue, mental cloudiness, and widespread aching and stiffness in soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Poor sleep, stress, strains... read more ) can cause chronic pain. Chronic pain can also result from an injury, even a mild injury if nerve fibers and cells have become sensitized.
Anxiety, depression, and other psychologic factors may help explain why some people experience pain as more unpleasant than others do and why pain limits their activities more. For example, people with chronic pain know it will recur and may become fearful and anxious as they anticipate the pain. Fear and anxiety can reduce the production of substances that reduce the sensitivity of nerve cells to pain. These changes in sensitivity to pain partly account for pain that persists after its cause resolves and for pain that feels more severe than expected.
Sometimes what originally caused the pain is obvious—for example, when people have had an injury that resulted in chronic back pain. Or the cause may be unknown—for example, when people have a chronic headache.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain may occur in different parts of the body in different people (for example, it may occur in the back in one person and in the fingertips in another). Also, the sensation of pain may be different. For example, the pain may feel like throbbing, stabbing, burning, or stinging. It may be constant or may come and go, and the intensity of the pain may vary.
People with chronic pain often also feel tired, have problems sleeping, lose their appetite and/or taste for food, and lose weight. Their sex drive may decrease. These problems develop gradually. Constant pain can prevent people from doing what they usually enjoy. They may become depressed and anxious. They may stop their activities, withdraw socially, and become preoccupied with physical health.
Diagnosis of Chronic Pain
A doctor's evaluation
Sometimes a mental health evaluation
Doctors thoroughly evaluate the person to identify the cause of pain and its effect on daily life. If no cause is identified, doctors then focus on relieving pain and helping the person function better.
Doctors ask the person whether the person feels depressed Diagnosis Depression is a feeling of sadness and/or a decreased interest or pleasure in activities that becomes a disorder when it is intense enough to interfere with functioning. It may follow a recent... read more , has anxiety Diagnosis Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness, worry, or unease that is a normal human experience. It is also present in a wide range of mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder... read more and is sleeping well. Identifying these symptoms is critical because they can make the pain worse and, if present, must be treated if the pain is to be effectively treated. A formal mental health evaluation Overview of Mental Illness Mental health (psychiatric or psychologic) disorders involve disturbances in thinking, emotion, and/or behavior. Small disturbances in these aspects of life are common, but when such disturbances... read more may be necessary.
Treatment of Chronic Pain
Drugs to relieve pain
Physical methods (such as physical therapy)
Psychologic and behavioral therapy
If a cause of chronic pain is identified, it is treated.
Treatment of chronic pain may include the following:
Drugs to relieve pain (analgesics)
Physical methods, such as physical therapy Physical Therapy (PT) Physical therapy, a component of rehabilitation, involves exercising and manipulating the body with an emphasis on the back, upper arms, and legs. It can improve joint and muscle function, helping... read more or occupational therapy Occupational Therapy (OT) Occupational therapy, a component of rehabilitation, is intended to enhance a person's ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include... read more
Complementary and integrative pain-relieving techniques, such as acupuncture Acupuncture Acupuncture, a therapy within traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most widely accepted CAM therapies in the Western world. Licensed practitioners do not necessarily have a medical degree... read more , massage Massage Therapy In massage therapy (a manipulative and body-based practice), body tissues are manipulated to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, and reduce stress. Massage therapy involves a variety of light-touch... read more , and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation Nondrug Pain Treatments Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more (TENS)
Psychologic and behavioral therapy
If treatments are ineffective, doctors may refer people to a pain clinic.
Drugs
In most people taking pain relievers (analgesics) for chronic pain, the pain's intensity varies throughout the day. Intensity varies based on several factors, such as the following:
Characteristics of the affected nerves (for example, how quickly they send signals and where the nerves are located)
Activities that can cause pain (such as moving or touching the affected area)
Stress
Dose or schedule of pain relievers
Depending on the severity of the pain, the following types of drugs may be used to treat chronic pain:
Drugs called adjuvant analgesics Adjuvant Analgesics Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more (such as antidepressants Medications for depression Depression is a feeling of sadness and/or a decreased interest or pleasure in activities that becomes a disorder when it is intense enough to interfere with functioning. It may follow a recent... read more or antiseizure drugs Antiseizure drugs In seizure disorders, the brain's electrical activity is periodically disturbed, resulting in some degree of temporary brain dysfunction. Many people have unusual sensations just before a seizure... read more )
Sometimes a combination of drugs may relieve pain more effectively than a single drug.
Chronic pain is usually treated first with acetaminophen or with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more , such as ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDs not only relieve pain, but they may also reduce the inflammation that often accompanies and worsens pain. However, if taken in high doses or for a long time, NSAIDs can have serious side effects, including irritation of the stomach's lining, an increased tendency to bleed, kidney problems, and an increased risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disorders.
Adjuvant analgesics are commonly used to treat chronic pain. These drugs are thought to work by changing the way nerves process pain (rather than directly stopping the sensation of pain).
The adjuvant analgesics most commonly used for pain are
Antidepressants Medications for Treatment of Depression Several types of medications can be used to treat depression: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors, serotonin modulators, and serotonin-norepinephrine... read more (such as amitriptyline, bupropion, desipramine, duloxetine, nortriptyline, and venlafaxine)
Opioids Opioid Pain Relievers Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more are used only if other drugs and treatments (such as physical therapy) have not been effective. Use of opioids is limited because they may have side effects, such as an opioid use disorder Substance Use Disorders Substance use disorders generally involve behavior patterns in which people continue to use a substance (for example, a recreational drug) despite having problems caused by its use. The substances... read more (addiction), slowing of breathing (respiratory depression), and death due to overdose. Opioids are most often used to treat moderate to severe pain due to cancer or to other disorders that shorten lifespan (terminal disorders). Opioids are also used as part of hospice care Hospice Care Hospice is a concept and a program of care that is specifically designed to minimize suffering for dying people and their family members. In the United States, hospice is the only widely available... read more for people at the end of life.
Before prescribing opioids for any type of chronic pain, doctors consider the following:
What the usual treatment approach is
Whether there are other treatments that could be used
Whether the person has a high risk of side effects from an opioid
Whether the person is at risk of misuse or abuse of an opioid drug or is likely to use the drugs for other purposes (for example, to sell them)
Doctors may refer people to a pain specialist or a mental health care practitioner who has expertise in substance misuse if the risk of having a problem is high. For example, people who have had an addiction usually need a referral.
When opioids are prescribed for chronic pain, doctors explain the nature of the person's disorder (if known) and the risks and benefits of other possible treatments, including nonopioid drugs and no treatment. Doctors ask the person about their goals and expectations. They usually give the person written information that describes the risks of taking opioids. After the person discusses this information with the doctor and understand it, the person is asked to sign an informed consent Informed Consent People have the right to information about potential harms, benefits, and alternative treatments when making decisions about medical care, and they have the freedom to accept or refuse care... read more document.
When doctors prescribe an opioid for chronic pain, they explain the risks and side effects of opioids. People are advised
Not to drink alcohol or take antianxiety drugs or sleep aids when taking the opioid
To take the recommended dose at the recommended times and not to change the dose
To store the opioid in a safe, secure place
Not to share the opioid with anyone
To contact their doctor if the drug makes them drowsy or they have any other side effects (such as confusion, constipation, or nausea)
To dispose of unused pills as directed
To keep naloxone (an opioid antidote) on hand and to learn and teach family members how to administer it if an opioid overdose occurs
If an opioid is prescribed, doctors have usual practices to ensure the person's safety. Doctors typically ask the persons to get opioid prescriptions only from one doctor and fill prescriptions at the same pharmacy every time. They see the person for follow-up visits frequently and monitor the use of the drug to make sure it is safe and effective. For example, doctors may periodically test the person's urine to determine whether the drug is being taken correctly. They also ask the person to sign an agreement that specifies conditions required for opioid use, including any monitoring that may be needed.
For people with pain due to cancer or another terminal disorder, concerns about side effects should not limit the use of opioids because side effects can usually be prevented or managed, and addiction is less of a concern.
Physical or occupational therapy
Physical or occupational therapists use various techniques to try to relieve chronic pain and help people function better. If trigger points are present, practitioners may use a spray to cool the area, then stretch the muscle. This method (called stretch and spray) can help lessen pain. Wearing an orthosis (a device that supports damaged joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones) helps some people.
Sometimes doing exercises or increasing activity level helps. For example, walking regularly can help relieve lower back pain more effectively than resting in bed.
Physical therapists Physical Therapy (PT) Physical therapy, a component of rehabilitation, involves exercising and manipulating the body with an emphasis on the back, upper arms, and legs. It can improve joint and muscle function, helping... read more and occupational therapists Occupational Therapy (OT) Occupational therapy, a component of rehabilitation, is intended to enhance a person's ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include... read more can help people with chronic pain find ways to do their daily activities with less pain.
Complementary and integrative medicine
Complementary and integrative medicine Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Integrative medicine and health (IMH) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include a variety of healing approaches and therapies that historically have not been included in conventional... read more may be used to treat chronic pain. For example, doctors may suggest one or more of the following:
Manipulation and body-based therapies (such as chiropractic Chiropractic In chiropractic, a manipulative and body-based practice, the relationship between the structure of the spine and the function of the nervous system is seen as key to maintaining or restoring... read more or osteopathic manipulation and massage therapy Massage Therapy In massage therapy (a manipulative and body-based practice), body tissues are manipulated to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, and reduce stress. Massage therapy involves a variety of light-touch... read more )
Energy-based therapies (such as therapeutic touch Therapeutic Touch Therapeutic touch, sometimes referred to as a laying on of hands, is a type of energy medicine. The philosophy behind therapeutic touch is to use the therapist’s healing energy (biofield) to... read more and Reiki Reiki Reiki is a type of energy medicine that originated in Japan. In Reiki, practitioners intend to manipulate energy through their hands and cause energy movement in the person’s body to promote... read more )
Counseling and behavioral techniques
Various techniques Relaxation Techniques Relaxation, a type of mind-body medicine, includes practices specifically designed to relieve tension and stress. The specific technique may be aimed at the following: Controlling the stress... read more (such as relaxation training, distraction techniques, hypnosis, and biofeedback Biofeedback Biofeedback, a type of mind-body medicine, is a method of bringing unconscious biologic processes under conscious control. In biofeedback, electronic devices are used to measure and report information... read more ) can sometimes help control pain. Distraction techniques may involve guided imagery. For example, people may be instructed to imagine a scene that is calming and comforting, such as resting on a beach or lying in a hammock.
Counseling or psychotherapy can help people function better, even if it does not reduce pain. Doctors may recommend specific ways to gradually increase physical and social activities. People are advised not to let pain derail their commitment to better functioning. When this approach is used, many people report a decrease in pain. Doctors applaud progress, encourage people to continue improving, and continue to treat the pain as needed.
Doctors may also talk with family members or fellow workers to discourage them from doing anything that keeps the person focused on the pain. For example, they should not constantly ask about the person's health or insist that the person do no chores.
Nerve block
A nerve block is frequently used to treat pain caused by damage to a specific large nerve. For this procedure, a nerve pathway that transmits pain signals is disrupted by one of the following:
Injecting the area around the nerves with a local anesthetic to prevent the nerves from sending pain signals (doctors commonly use ultrasonography to help them locate the nerves to be treated)
Injecting the area around nearby collections of nerve cells called ganglia to help regulate the transmission of pain signals
Injecting a caustic substance (such as phenol) into a nerve to destroy it
Freezing the nerve (cryotherapy)
Burning the nerve with a radiofrequency probe
Nerve blocks are often used to treat low back pain caused by pressure on (compression of) spinal nerves (which connect the spinal cord with other parts of the body). Nerve blocks may also be used to treat severe cancer pain near the end of life and severe, persistent neuropathic pain when drugs cannot relieve the pain.
Pain rehabilitation programs
Doctors may recommend a pain rehabilitation program for people with chronic pain. These programs are managed by an interdisciplinary team that includes psychologists, physical therapists, doctors, nurses, and sometimes occupational therapists and integrative medicine practitioners. The programs include education. cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, simplification of the drug regimen, and sometimes gradually decreased use of a pain reliever. They focus on the following:
Restoring function
Improving quality of life
Helping people control their own life, despite their chronic pain
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
acetaminophen |
7T Gummy ES, Acephen, Aceta, Actamin, Adult Pain Relief, Anacin Aspirin Free, Apra, Children's Acetaminophen, Children's Pain & Fever , Comtrex Sore Throat Relief, ED-APAP, ElixSure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genapap, Genebs, Goody's Back & Body Pain, Infantaire, Infants' Acetaminophen, LIQUID PAIN RELIEF, Little Fevers, Little Remedies Infant Fever + Pain Reliever, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infants, Mapap Junior, M-PAP, Nortemp, Ofirmev, Pain & Fever , Pain and Fever , PAIN RELIEF , PAIN RELIEF Extra Strength, Panadol, PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Children's Smooth Metls Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Infant's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, Pediaphen, PHARBETOL, Plus PHARMA, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap, Triaminic Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Triaminic Infant Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol 8 Hour Arthritis Pain, Tylenol 8 Hour Muscle Aches & Pain, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol Children's, Tylenol Children's Pain+Fever, Tylenol CrushableTablet, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Infants', Tylenol Infants Pain + Fever, Tylenol Junior Strength, Tylenol Pain + Fever, Tylenol Regular Strength, Tylenol Sore Throat, XS No Aspirin, XS Pain Reliever |
ibuprofen |
Advil, Advil Children's, Advil Children's Fever, Advil Infants', Advil Junior Strength, Advil Migraine, Caldolor, Children's Ibuprofen, ElixSure IB, Genpril , Ibren , IBU, Midol, Midol Cramps and Body Aches, Motrin, Motrin Children's, Motrin IB, Motrin Infants', Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, PediaCare Children's Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, PediaCare Infants' Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, Samson-8 |
naproxen |
Aflaxen, Aleve, Aleve Arthritis, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naprosyn, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan, Naprelan Dose Card, Naprosyn |
amitriptyline |
Elavil, Tryptanol, Vanatrip |
bupropion |
Aplenzin, Budeprion SR , Budeprion XL , Buproban, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban |
desipramine |
Norpramin |
duloxetine |
Cymbalta, Drizalma, Irenka |
nortriptyline |
Aventyl, Pamelor |
venlafaxine |
Effexor, Effexor XR, Venlafaxine |
gabapentin |
Active-PAC with Gabapentin, Gabarone , Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin |
pregabalin |
Lyrica, Lyrica CR |
naloxone |
EVZIO, Kloxxado, Narcan, ZIMHI |
phenol |
Castellani Paint, Chloraseptic, Chloraseptic Kids, Phenaseptic, Sore Throat |
