What is Chronic Pain?

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain doesn't last long and usually goes away as your body heals. Pain that persists after healing has occurred, results from long-term illness, or has no apparent cause is called chronic pain.

Chronic pain may persist for weeks, months, or years and may not respond to treatment. It can be debilitating and often becomes the defining factor in patients' lives. Without relief, or the hope for relief, many patients lose the ability to eat, sleep, work, and function normally. Chronic pain can cause low self-esteem, depression and anger.