Chronic pain can affect every part of life—your work, sleep, energy, and confidence. When pain doesn’t go away after weeks or months, it’s often more than just a temporary injury.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than 12 weeks. Unlike acute pain, which usually resolves as the body heals, chronic pain can persist for months or even years. In many cases, the nervous system continues to send pain signals long after an injury has healed.

Chronic pain can appear in different parts of the body and for different reasons. That’s why accurate diagnosis is critical. A thorough medical history, physical examination, and in some cases imaging or additional testing, are often needed to identify the root cause and create an effective treatment plan.

Causes of Chronic Pain

Back Pain
Up to 80% of adults experience chronic back pain, most often in the lower spine. It may result from injury, arthritis, or normal wear-and-tear. Common causes include herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, compression fractures, and structural changes over time.

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Headaches
More than 90% of adults report a history of headaches. Chronic headaches are defined as occurring at least two weeks per month, for three consecutive months. Causes vary and may include:

• Tension headaches from stress
   

• Migraines triggered by nervous system activity
   

• Cluster headaches linked to blood vessel changes
   

• Eye strain headaches from overworked ocular muscles
   

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Joint Pain
Joint pain often develops from aging, infection, or injury. Common causes include:

• (OSTEOARTHRITIS) affecting larger joints
   

• (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS) causing inflammation and swelling
   

• (TENDINITIS) from overuse or repetitive strain
   

• Sports or workplace repetitive motion injuries
   

Nerve Pain
Chronic nerve pain occurs when nerves are damaged or compressed. Conditions such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, or postherpetic neuralgia can lead to ongoing nerve pain and sensitivity.