Chronic Pain
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Chronic Pain Overview

Save information for later
Sign Up

Learn About Chronic Pain

What is the definition of Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three months, in contrast to acute pain which is limited. Chronic pain may be the result of injury, infection, or chronic disease and can manifest as low back pain, migraines, arthritis, neuralgias or neurological diseases affecting various nerves, cancer, and even psychogenic pain where no physical cause can be found. Chronic pain more commonly affects older adults and can be unrelenting (without relief) or intermittent (continuing to come and go).
What are the symptoms of Chronic Pain?
Symptoms of chronic pain last more than three months and are generally associated with its origin, such as low back pain due to injury or disease; arthritis pain associated with joints and bones; headaches, such as recurring migraines; neurogenic pain from nerve or central nervous system diseases and disorders; psychogenic (no known disease or injury) pain; and may be combined with co-morbid (more than one) conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome; fibromyalgia (muscle pain); inflammatory bowel disease; interstitial cystitis (bladder infection); temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction; and vulvodynia (vulvar pain). Chronic pain symptoms may be aggravated by environmental and psychological factors. Some patients with chronic pain may also experience mood disorders, such depression and anxiety.
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is considered to be a major medical disorder that requires treatment and may be incurable. Treatments for chronic pain depend on its type, causes, and condition, and often involve seeing different specialists that are part of a pain management and rehabilitation team. Common treatments for chronic pain may include acupuncture; anesthetic pain blocks; epidural steroid injections; antidepressants; application of heat and cold; biofeedback; behavior modification therapy; brain stimulation; exercise; local electrical stimulation; hypnosis; over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or acetaminophen; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); placebos; prescription pain medicines, such as opioids; physical and occupational therapy, such as massage and whirlpool treatments; meditation; psychotherapy and group therapy; relaxation techniques; stress management; or surgery. Most often, treatment for chronic pain focuses on decreasing pain symptoms, while managing pain long-term.
Who are the top Chronic Pain Local Doctors?
Ajay D. Wasan
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Ajay D. Wasan
Pain Medicine
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Ajay D. Wasan
Pain Medicine

UPMC Pain Management At UPMC Mercy

1400 Locust Street, Suite 3206, 
Pittsburgh, PA 
412-232-8276
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Ajay Wasan, MD is certified in pain medicine and psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Wasan is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, as well as Vice Chair for Pain Medicine, Director of the Chronic Pain Research Program, and Director of the Center for Innovation in Pain Care in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. He completed fellowships at BWH/Harvard Medical School and University of California Davis, residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and medical degree at University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Wasan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Acute Pain, and Neuralgia.

Steven P. Cohen
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Steven P. Cohen
Pain Medicine
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Steven P. Cohen
Pain Medicine
259 E Erie St Ste 1400, Lavin Family Pavilion, 
Chicago, IL 
312-695-2500
Experience:
37+ years
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances

Steven Cohen is a Pain Medicine provider in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cohen has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, Phantom Limb Pain, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Julie G. Pilitsis
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Julie G. Pilitsis
Neurosurgery
Elite in Chronic Pain
Dr. Julie G. Pilitsis
Neurosurgery

Banner - University Medicine North

3838 North Campbell Avenue, Building 2, 
Tucson, AZ 
520-694-1000
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

I enjoy spending time with friends and family. Dr. Pilitsis is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chronic Pain. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Pain, Accessory Deep Peroneal Nerve, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Laminectomy.

View All Doctors
What are the latest Chronic Pain Clinical Trials?
The Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit: A Training Program to Support Family Caregivers of Persons With ADRD
The Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit: A Training Program to Support Family Caregivers of Persons With ADRD
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: This study will evaluate the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit (PICT), a multicomponent intervention for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). PICT provides training in observational pain assessment and coaching in effective pain communication techniques. It will recruit participants from programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) and pa...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
Interoceptive Awareness and Function in Adolescents With Chronic Pain
Interoceptive Awareness and Function in Adolescents With Chronic Pain
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Other

Summary: The main objectives of this study are to compare the levels of interoceptive awareness and self-reported function pre and post completion of an occupational therapy treatment plan. The target population are adolescents aged 11-21 years that are diagnosed with chronic pain and are seen through the Pain Team at Connecticut Children's. The primary aims are: * To compare the reported levels of interoc...

View All Clinical Trials