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Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the normal time of healing, or occurs in diseases in which healing does not take place. Chronic pain can occur when no obvious cause can be found, and is thought to be due to changes in the nervous system. It can affect any part of the body and people of any age including children. It is also referred to as persistent pain and lasts for more than three months.

Chronic pain can be classified broadly into Nociceptive and Non Nociceptive pain. Identifying the type of pain helps choose the appropriate treatment for effective pain management.

 Nociceptive Pain arises from the stimulation of specific pain receptors. It can be distinguished further into somatic pain and visceral pain.

Somatic Pain is characteristically sharp and well localised and present in tissues such as skin, muscle, bones and ligaments. It is also referred to as musculoskeletal pain. Specific nociceptors are activated. Combinations of paracetamol, weak or strong opioids and NSAIDs are the medications prescribed.

Visceral Pain is characteristically poorly localised, often described as a deep ache or cramped and colicky. It arises in the internal organs, in the thorax, abdomen and pelvis. Nociceptors for stretch, inflammation and ischaemia are activated. Weak or strong Opioids are the usual choice of medication for this type of pain.

Non Nociceptive Pain arises from within the peripheral and central nervous system. There are no specific receptors, and the impaired nerve cell function gives rise to pain. It can be further distinguished into neuropathic pain and sympathetic pain.

Neuropathic pain is felt in the area which the nerve normally would supply. For example the L5 spinal nerve affected by a slipped disc produces pain down the leg to the big toe. It may be associated with tingling, numbness and weakness.

Nerve pain is described as shooting, burning and can also be associated with intense itching.

There are several causes of nerve damage including degeneration (stroke, brain haemorrhage), nerve pressure (trapped nerve), nerve inflammation (torn or slipped disc).

Medications which work better for this kind of pain are antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmics, NMDA Antagonists, and sometimes topical Capsaicin.

Sympathetic pain occurs commonly after fractures and soft tissue injuries of the arms and legs. These may lead to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Pain is manifested as extreme hypersensitivity around the injury and also in the limb. The limb is usually extremely painful, preventing movement, giving rise to associated secondary problems like muscle wasting. Medication is similar to that for neuropathic pain.

Most interventions involve the injection of a type of drug called cortico steroids. Steroids are strong anti-inflammatory (which reduce swelling and help reduce pain). The side effects of these drugs can manifest in some patients as anxiety sleeplessness and intensifying of existing psychological or psychiatric problems.

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