Evidence-based Overviews | Prevention | Treatments & Self-Management | Associated Conditions
Decision Aids and Toolkits | Work Accommodation | Chronic Pain Organizations | Research on Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain can be intermittent – occurring on and off, the pain may vary with intensity during the day or can be persistent pain. Chronic pain can result from a known cause, such as surgery or inflamed joints, or a consequence of a disease. Many times the cause is unknown.
Evidence-based Overviews
Prevention
Preventing chronic pain may be possible – depending on its cause. Many people are surprised to learn that, not all, but many cases of chronic pain can in fact be prevented.
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Associated Conditions
Depression – People with chronic pain are at a higher risk of experiencing depression. Depression and pain can produce a cycle where one feeds into the other causing higher pain levels and greater depression. While using medication, exercise or other treatments for chronic pain is beneficial, it’s also important to pay attention to your mental state. You could start by finding ways to lower your stress levels, engage in positive thinking and seek counselling with a trained psychologist or counsellor.
Resources
Decision Aids and Toolkits
Online Pain Assessment Tool - An online pain assessment tool that provides you with a body to assign pain levels to. Provides an opportunity to print your assessment to give to your doctor or for your own records.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – Informational toolkit including tips on treatments and management techniques.
Pain: A Terrible and Misunderstood Affliction - Podcast from White Coat, Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman on chronic pain featuring Dr. Pam Squire and Dr. Doug Gourlay.
Podcast on Unexplained Pain – Informational podcast about the impact of chronic pain conditions, and how women can improve communications with their health care professionals to get relief.
Chronic Pain Notebook - The Pain Notebook is an easy-to-use tool to help you maintain a record of your pain and communicate your experiences.
Communication Tools - Communicating with your doctor can be difficult. This tool set includes a pain log, follow up card, fibro log, quality of life scale and more.
Pain Balance – Pain Balance provides information, tools and guidelines to help you and your health care professional make informed decisions about chronic pain.
Patient Decision Aids – A comprehensive listing of decision aids for patients to help them make informed decisions about treatment options.
Pain Resource Centre - Provides users with information on how manage their pain care, including: how to find a pain specialist, pain causes and treatments and medical definitions.
Finding Relief for Chronic Pain – A podcast featuring doctors and patients from UW Medicine Center for Pain Relief on the importance of finding the source of chronic pain and new techniques for treating chronic pain.
Tools of Change - Tools of Change provides tools, case studies, and a planning guide to help people take actions and adopt habits that promote health, safety and sustainability.
Focus on Your Wellness Videocasts – NIH hosts a variety of experts to speak about ways you can improve your quality of life through physical activity, eating well and making healthy lifestyle changes.
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Work Accommodation Information
Work Accommodation Ideas -- Job Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Chronic Pain, by Job Accommodation Network, US Labor.
Chronic Pain Organizations
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Last Updated: July 8, 2011
Reviewed by: Marc White PhD, Scientific & Executive Director, CIRPD