Millions of people across the country are impacted by a condition which has been labelled a 'silent epidemic'. Chronic pain is said to impact 28 million people across Great Britain. The NHS offers guidance on how to manage condition, which is said to impact around 28 million adults who are living with serious pain that has lasted for three months or longer.
Chronic pain can be caused by a number of things, according to NICE, including an ongoing degenerative illness, surgery or medical interventions, a primary condition or an acute injury.According to Great Ormond Street Hospital, the term ‘chronic pain’ includes a variety of pain syndromes that describe pain that has persisted beyond the expected period of recovery, for example, complex regional pain syndrome , musculoskeletal pain, and persistent post-operative pain.
“Chronic pain lasts longer and generally, does not respond well to medicines. It is caused by abnormal messages being sent by the nerves, even when the tissue injury has healed. The brain continues to interpret these messages as painful. 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.The NHS states that exercise and continuing to work if you can are key to managing persistent pain, also known as chronic pain, to help lead a fuller life. It says lying in bed for long periods can make back pain last longer. Lack of activity can make you stiffen up and makes your muscles weaker.