Chronic Pain

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MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the most extensive biomedical library in the world. Use MedlinePlus.gov anywhere, anytime, on any device - for free - to discover high-quality health and wellness information that is reliable, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.

The MedlinePlus health topic on chronic pain provides an overview of chronic pain, its causes, symptoms, and its impact on daily life. It also discusses various treatment options, including medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes, to help manage chronic pain.

• Chronic Pain | MedlinePlus

• Pain | MedlinePlus in multiple languages

Discover the fascinating science behind pain in the NIH MedlinePlus Magazine article, “Ouch, that hurts!” The science of pain. This insightful piece explores how our nervous system processes pain, the different types of pain, and the latest research on pain management. Learn how your brain shapes your pain experience and the innovative treatments being developed to help those suffering from chronic pain.

Discover NIH

What do we know? More medical research is needed.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.

• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is the primary NIH organization researching Pain. One of its programs is the NIH HEAL Initiative®, a large-scale research effort aimed at addressing the opioid crisis and advancing safe, effective, and non-addictive treatments for chronic pain. HEAL supports a wide range of programs—from drug and device development to personalized care strategies and data sharing platforms—uniting 15 NIH Institutes to transform pain research and treatment.
  • Explore more about pain in the Health Information Glossary section at Pain | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• The NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) partners with NIH institutes, other federal agencies, and the research community to support studies on chronic pain. In 2018, OBSSR co-led a workshop with other NIH institutes to identify contributions of social and behavioral research in addressing the opioid crisis. As a follow-up, OBSSR commissioned a special issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
• The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is the leading medical research agency studying Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, which often is associated with chronic pain.
• The National Institute on Aging Pain (NIA) offers publications and materials related to Pain and Older Adults. You can explore more at the Publication Ordering System and Contact Report System.
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) studies the usefulness and safety of complementary health approaches for chronic pain.

Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches (eBook)

Pain is the most common reason for seeking medical care. It is also a common reason why people turn to complementary health approaches. This 50-page eBook provides an overview of complementary health approaches for pain, including acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, spinal manipulation, yoga, and more. You’ll find summaries of what the science says about whether these approaches are useful and safe, as well as tips to help you be an informed consumer.

Published: February 2023