Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints for which people seek medical care. Understand the causes and learn about treatments and strategies to help manage it.

Explore Chronic Pain

All Diagnosis Treatment Types Living With
Young doctor examines senior patient's leg.
How Chronic Nerve Pain Causes Skin Changes
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Female nurse helps lift dumbbell to disabled patient rehabilitation therapy
Disuse Atrophy Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
The nerves of the lower body
The Common Symptoms of Neuralgia or Nerve Pain
Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD
Woman suffering of headache and massaging forehead
The Link Between Depression and Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Man sitting on bed with backache and headache
Relapsing-Remitting Disorders and Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Man lying in hospital bed
Progressive Disorders and Diseases
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
woman suffering from neck pain
How the Nervous System Detects and Interprets Pain
Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD
Support Group
The 6 Best Chronic Pain Support Groups of 2021
Fact checked by James Lacy
young woman with cold hands due to Raynaud's syndrome
Raynaud's Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
What Is Chronic Pain?
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
doctor and patient talking and reviewing brochure
The Best Tests for Diagnosing Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH
Woman getting ultrasound therapy on her shoulder
Ultrasound Therapy for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Doctor and patient talking in clinic
How Pain Rating Scales Work
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Man talking to his doctor
Common Tests Used to Diagnose Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
Woman with pelvic pain on couch
Tests and Procedures for Diagnosing Pelvic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
sliding image-based Pain scale
10 Different Types of Pain Scales and How They're Used
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
patient controlled anesthesia (PCA)
Patient-Controlled Anesthesia (PCA): What You Need to Know
By Sherry Christiansen
Woman Addicted to Painkillers Holding Pills in Her Hand Palm
Naprosyn (naproxen) Side Effects
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
Micro-dosing LSD
Micro-Dose LSD for Pain, Alzheimer's, Mental Illness
Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD
Heating pad
The 9 Best Heating Pads of 2021
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
man with glass of water and white pill
Tylenol #3: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions
Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD
Medicare coverage acupuncture for back pain
Does Medicare Cover Acupuncture for Low Back Pain?
Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD
Close-up of opium poppy
What Are Opiates?
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
Photo of a woman telling her doctor about pain.
Physical Therapy as Treatment for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Vicodin pills
How Is Opioid Defined?
Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD
woman holding pills
Neurontin Abuse on the Rise
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
Hand holding a pill
Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia: Causes and Treatments
Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD
Woman holding her shoulder in pain
Using Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
woman icing painful knee
Know When to Use Heat or Cold for Your Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Man holding blue pill between his fingers
Using Naproxen for Chronic Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Chiropractor Performing a Median NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity)
How a TENS Unit Can Be Used for Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD
A person receiving ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound Therapy Treatment for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD
Man in pain getting prescription from doctor
Can You Ask Your Doctor for Stronger Painkillers?
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Man sitting on bed with a chronic backache
Percocet for Chronic Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Older woman rubbing her neck
How Anticonvulsants Block Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Doctor handing a patient a prescription medication container
How Adjuvant Analgesics Are Used to Treat Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
man taking medicine
NSAIDs for Long-Term Chronic Pain Treatment
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Bottle of pills spilled
Benefits and Risks of Opioids for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
Topical pain medications
Topical Analgesics for Pain
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
Oxycodone for chronic pain.
Oxycodone Opioid Use in Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
treatment for chronic pain
Types of Medications Used for Treating Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
white pills spilling from a bottle
Vicodin as Medication for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Woman taking pill in bathroom
Will Tylenol and Similar Drugs Help Neuropathy?
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Senior man suffering from knee pain
Using Heat for Pain Treatment
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
A woman taking medication, France
Generic Valium: Is It Safe and Effective?
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
White Pills
Using Corticosteroids for Pain Control
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
CDC Recommendations on Opioids for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Doctor reviewing medical chart with senior man
Permanent or Temporary Nerve Blocks for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Woman with head ache in bed
How to Safely Quit Taking Painkillers
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Male doctor and testicular cancer patient are discussing about testicular cancer test report. Testicular cancer and prostate cancer concept.
Overview of Chronic Pelvic Pain/Prostatitis Syndrome
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
top view of full prescription bottles
Types of Opioids Used for Chronic Pain Relief
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Hydrocodone tablets and pill bottle closeup
How Hydrocodone Is Used for Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Man taking medicine
The Use of NSAIDs For Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Aspirin tablets spilling from a bottle.
Aspirin as Medication for Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Ibuprofen pain relief tablets
The 9 Best OTC Pain Relievers of 2021
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Woman reading label on over the counter medication
Choosing the Right Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
woman applying pain patch to neck and shoulder
Prescription Pain-Relief Patches: Uses and Precautions
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
A man stretches his neck to the side while clutching the sore muscles, which are highlighted in red.
Most Common Chronic Pain Conditions
By Adrienne Dellwo
Woman in pain
The Main Types of Chronic Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Woman rubbing her neck
What Does Nerve Pain Feel Like?
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD