Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 3 months despite medication or treatment.

Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation. But sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation. Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 people.  It can affect all ages and all parts of the body.

It isn’t possible to tell in advance whose pain will become chronic. But we know that people are more likely to develop chronic pain during or after times of stress or unhappiness.

People can also experience chronic pain even after usual medical tests don’t provide an answer. If you’re still in pain after 3 months, speak to your general practitioner if you haven’t already done so.

Ask for a referral.

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