What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. It often does not ease with regular pain medication.² Chronic pain can have a distinct cause, such as a temporary injury or infection or a long-term disease. But some chronic pain has no obvious cause.³ Like depression, chronic pain can cause problems with sleep and daily activities, reducing your quality of life.²

For more information on chronic pain see the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke website.

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