Chronic pain is a persistent discomfort that can last for weeks, months, or even years. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to injury or illness, chronic pain can linger long after an injury has healed or arise without any obvious cause. The seeming lack of explanation for the pain means that sufferers are often misunderstood, or their experience minimised by those who do not understand it.
According to the NHS, around 28 million adults in the UK experience chronic pain, indicating a significant public health concern.
The symptoms of chronic pain vary widely, from sharp, stabbing sensations to a constant dull ache. It can affect any part of the body and may be accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and even emotional challenges like anxiety or depression. It can severely impact sufferers’ daily routine and important aspects of life.
Treatment for chronic pain is often multidimensional. It may include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. In some cases, psychological therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) prove beneficial, helping individuals manage the emotional and mental challenges that accompany persistent pain.
Further information and resources
Recommended books
- "The Way Out: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Heal Chronic Pain" by Alan Gordon – Founder of the Pain Psychology Centre, Gordon himself suffered with chronic pain and developed an alternative approach to treating his, and others’, symptoms, through ‘rewiring’ his brain. This book guides you through the process for yourself.
- "Back In Charge: How I Healed from Chronic Pain" by Elizabeth Reilly – An autobiography that details Reilly’s experience of chronic pain, from its emergence, exploration of different treatment approaches, through to reaching an understanding of her symptoms and finally being able to heal.
- "Overcoming Chronic Pain 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques" by Dr Frances Cole, Helen MacDonald, and Catherine Carus – An evidence-based self-help guide to managing the psychological and physical aspects of chronic pain.
