Chronic Pain - Questions and Answers

Chronic pain, sometimes called long-term or persistent pain, is a common condition in which pain persists longer than 3 months, which would normally be enough time for tissues to recover following injury, trauma or illness. It can be attributed to a number of different causes and can be associated with different types of pain with variable severity. Chronic pain can cause significant reduction in function, quality of life and emotional well-being. 

Some studies estimate that approximately 40% suffer from chronic pain of a variable severity, with the prevalence rising steadily through each age group to over two thirds in the over 75's. This means we all have friends and family who suffer with some form of chronic pain!

Chronic pain can be caused as a secondary consequence of illness, trauma, surgery, degeneration, cancer and medication, however in a number of people no cause is identified. It is unclear why some people develop chronic pain and others don't following similar events. It is thought that the nervous system becomes more sensitive due to repeated painful stimuli, exacerbating the situation and potentially perpetuating the perception of pain often after healing has occurred.

Pain can be mechanical (nociceptive), nerve (neuropathic) or mixed. Mechanical pain is characteristically dull and aching and is often caused by wear and tear, for example back pain with ageing. Nerve pain is characteristically shooting and burning and is caused by injury or illness to the nervous system, for example a disc prolapse irritating the spinal nerves in sciatica. Mixed pain can have the features of both types of pain.

It is important to assess the type of pain as it changes the available treatments and the Yorkshire Pain Clinic is highly skilled in doing this as part of our assessment process.

Living with chronic pain can have devastating effects on people's lives. It can cause problems with relationships, sleep, mood, function and employment. It is estimated that chronic pain costs the UK economy £10 billion annually highlighting the scale of the issue.

We have significant experience in all aspects of pain management and we assess patients individually and discuss all of the available treatment options and create an individualised plan. This will often include multiple ways to potentially reduce the burden of chronic pain with an over aim to relieve pain, reduce the secondary effects of living with chronic pain and allow patients to start living again!

We work closely with other multidisciplinary professionals who may also be able to help, including physiotherapists, psychologists and surgeons, amongst others and we can make recommendations or referral if required.