Chronic pain is pain that continues for 3 months or longer. Chronic pain may be triggered by a disease or injury, or the cause may not be clear.

Symptoms may include:

• Mild to severe pain that does not go away as expected.
• Pain that may be described as shooting, burning, aching, or electrical.
• Discomfort, soreness, tightness, or stiffness.

Treatment usually includes behavioral therapy and a combination of medicines (such as pain relievers or antidepressants), physical therapy, and exercise. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or yoga also may be used to treat chronic pain.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Revised	January 20, 2011