Condition guide

Chronic pain

Chronic, or long-term, pain is pain that has lasted for more than 12 weeks. It often cannot be cured, but with the right support most people can manage it and do more of what matters to them.

Living with long-term pain

Pain that has lasted, or keeps coming back, for more than 12 weeks
Flare-ups that come and go
Pain that affects sleep, mood, work or relationships

Pain that lasts a long time can change how the nervous system handles pain signals, which is why it is often managed differently from short-term pain.

Common causes

Arthritis, back problems, an old injury, illness and nerve damage. Sometimes no single cause is found.

What can help

Staying active in ways your GP or physiotherapist suggests
Pacing: spreading activity through the day instead of doing too much at once
Relaxation, breathing and mindfulness techniques
Keeping a pain diary to spot patterns and triggers
Support groups and helplines run by charities such as Pain Concern and the British Pain Society

Treatment

How long-term pain is usually managed

A GP will talk through your pain history, try to find where it is coming from and record how severe it is. Painkillers can help in the short term, but the NHS says they are generally not the main way to manage long-term pain.

If your pain is hard to manage, you can ask for a referral to a specialist pain clinic. Many offer a pain management programme that teaches skills for staying active, coping with flare-ups and handling the emotional side of pain. The MHRA advises against long-term use of strong opioid painkillers for pain not caused by cancer, because of the risk of dependence and addiction.

Get help

See a GP if pain has lasted more than 12 weeks, is getting worse or is stopping you from coping
Call NHS 111 if you need advice urgently
Call 999 for sudden severe pain, chest pain or pain after a serious injury

Sources

NHS: How to get NHS help for your pain · MHRA: Opioids, risk of dependence and addiction · British Pain Society. Information only; it does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.