People with persistent pain symptoms often receive mixed messages about what treatments are the safest and most effective. They also question why their symptoms have persisted, and if there is anything they can do to improve their circumstances. Please see below for the most up-to-date answers to these questions.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pain?
What can I do to improve my symptoms?
What treatments are safest/most effective?
What causes pain to become chronic?
How long does it usually take to get better?
Will exercise make my pain worse?
Did I do something wrong to cause my pain?
Is my pain all in my head?
How do I communicate my pain to my doctor?
What treatments should I avoid?
Will surgery help my pain?
Will persistent pain cause mental health issues?
How do I support someone with persistent pain?
How do I know if my pain is dangerous?
How do I communicate my pain to my doctor?
What is a pain flare, and how do I manage it?
What if I no longer have access to opioids?
Is pain just a natural part of aging?