EXPERTISE
What is persistent pain?
Persistent pain, also called chronic pain, is pain that lasts for more than three months, or beyond the expected healing time after an injury or illness.
Understanding persistent pain
Persistent pain is not just a physical sensation—it also affects emotions, sleep, energy levels, and daily functioning. It may be caused by an ongoing condition like arthritis or nerve damage, but sometimes no clear cause is found.
Common causes of persistent pain
Persistent pain can arise from a variety of underlying causes, many of which involve long-term health conditions or injury-related damage. One of the most common sources is arthritis, where joint inflammation leads to ongoing discomfort and stiffness. Back and neck problems, such as disc degeneration or spinal misalignment, can also cause lasting pain.
Nerve damage, known as neuropathic pain, may result from conditions like diabetes, shingles, or injuries, and often feels like burning, tingling, or shooting pain. Fibromyalgia is another frequent cause, involving widespread pain and heightened sensitivity without clear tissue damage.
Persistent pain can also follow surgeries or injuries, even after the physical healing appears complete. Other chronic conditions like endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or migraines may contribute to long-term pain as well. In some cases, the exact cause remains unclear, with the nervous system itself becoming overly sensitive and continuing to send pain signals without an identifiable source.
