What is chronic pain?
The definition of chronic pain is pain that lasts for six months or longer. This pain is a constant affair or it surfaces intermittently, which often occurs longer than the period of time. It is often more difficult to treat than acute pain. Expert care is generally necessary to treat any pain that has become chronic.
Chronic pain may be continuous, or it may come and go, but its hallmark is that it lasts for months or years. Such pain is commonly associated with a chronic condition, such as migraines, arthritis, or ischemia. More than 6 million Americans experience repeated angina attacks, which means that they, too, may struggle with chronic pain. Chronic pain can lead to enormous costs physically, emotionally, and financially, for example, if pain causes you to take sick days or go on disability. See Understanding Chronic Pain for more.
