What is Chronic Pain?

Pain is a sensation that most people, if not everyone, have experienced at some point in their lives. Chronic pain is considered pain that lasts for at least three months (Cleveland Clinic, 2021; Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024). According to medical staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine (2024), chronic pain might be present all the time, some of the time, and can come and go depending on the type and circumstances. Chronic pain severity can have a wide variety of subjective descriptions, ranging from mild to intense and excruciating (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024). Chronic pain can be described in many ways including aching, burning, stinging, throbbing, shooting, or stiffness felt anywhere in the body (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).

Types of Chronic Pain

Some common types of chronic pain according to John's Hopkins Medicine (2024) and Cleveland Clinic (2021) include:

• Joint Pain (Arthritis)
• Muscle Pain (Fibromyalgia)
• Nerve Pain (Neuralgia)
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Headaches/Migraines
• Scar Tissue Pain
• Cancer Tumor Pain

Effect on Daily Life

Chronic pain can affect any area of occupation and daily life. Daily activities, called ADLs or IADLs in occupational therapy, like getting dressed, brushing teeth, making a meal, and cleaning the house, as well as health management, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation can all be negatively affected by symptoms of chronic pain (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). It can also negatively affect an individual’s overall health, well-being, and quality of life (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Chronic pain can contribute to an individual not wanting to complete an activity or task due to increased pain, onset of pain, increased time needed to complete the task, lack of energy, lack of motivation, and more. Additionally, it can affect the persons relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and the community (Lambdin-Pattavina & Pyatak, 2022).

Pain Management Team

The pain management team includes individuals from various disciplines and can look different for everyone. Below is a list of healthcare professionals who may be a part of the pain management team according to John's Hopkins Medicine (2024):

• Primary Care Physicians
• Neurologists
• Orthopedic Surgeons
• Occupational Therapists/Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Physical Therapists/Physical Therapy Assistants
• Nurses
• Psychologists and Psychiatrists
• Case Managers

• Social Workers

References