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What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain affects millions of people and can have a significant impact on daily life, wellbeing, and mental health. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a temporary warning signal, chronic pain can persist for months or even years, sometimes without a clear cause. This article explores what chronic pain is, its common causes, and how to manage it effectively.

By Jessica DavyLast edited/reviewed 4th April 2025

Chronic pain is a type of pain that persists beyond the expected healing time, typically lasting more than three months. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning signal for injury or illness, chronic pain may continue even after the original cause has healed or may not have a clear cause at all. It can have a significant impact on daily activities, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Characteristics of Chronic Pain:

  • Persistent or Recurrent: Lasts for more than three months and can fluctuate in intensity.
  • Not Always Linked to Injury: May continue after an injury has healed or occurred without an identifiable cause.
  • Affects Physical and Mental Wellbeing: Can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, or depression.
  • Varied Sensations: Can feel like aching, burning, throbbing, or sharp pain and may be widespread or localised.

Common Causes:

  • Age Related Changes: As we age, joints, muscles, and discs in the spine experience gradual changes that can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and persistent pain. Repetitive stress from daily activities or physically demanding jobs can also contribute to long-term pain (Andrasfay et al., 2021).
  • Lingering Effects of Past Injuries: Some injuries, even after they appear to have healed, can leave behind residual pain. This can sometimes be due to scar tissue, nerve damage, or altered movement patterns that place strain on different areas of the body, but sometimes, there are no reasons for the lingering pain.
  • Nerve Sensitisation: In some cases, the nervous system becomes overly sensitive, amplifying pain signals even when there is no ongoing injury. This can lead to chronic pain without an obvious structural cause.
  • Inflammatory Responses in the Body: Long-term inflammation from conditions such as autoimmune disorders, infections, or other chronic illnesses can contribute to ongoing pain and stiffness.
  • Psychosocial and Emotional Factors: Stress, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep can all heighten the perception of pain, making it feel more intense or widespread. Pain and emotions are closely linked, and addressing mental health can be an important part of managing chronic pain.
  • Lifestyle Factors: A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, obesity, or inadequate nutrition can all play a role in chronic pain. Muscle imbalances, lack of core strength, and prolonged periods of inactivity can contribute to ongoing discomfort.

Chronic pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, medical intervention. Seeking professional advice can help manage symptoms and improve overall function.

Discover our tips on how to manage Chronic (Persistent) Pain here.

References:

Andrasfay T, Raymo N, Goldman N, Pebley AR. Physical work conditions and disparities in later life functioning: Potential pathways. SSM Popul Health. 2021 Dec 4;16:100990. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100990.

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