What is chronic pain and how does it work?

For years people with conditions such as fibromyalgia, endometriosis, chronic fatigue or bad back pain – to name just a few – have been told the pain is all in their head. With no obvious physical symptoms, nociplastic pain can be difficult to diagnose but its effects are very, very real. Research suggests that the immune system plays a role in nociplastic pain, giving people 'feel bad' symptoms including fatigue, anxiety and nausea

[Cheximus]

Yeah, it sucks. Had chronic pain in my right hip since I was 23. Was young and careless, thought I was invincible. Thought it'd go away. It's proceeded to spread through my body, probably due to me changing my posture and over-compensating in other parts of my body. Now pain either radiates down the whole left hand side of my body, or parts of my right hand side (never both) - my knee, or my hip, mostly.

Doctors, ten years later, finally decided it was degenerative disc disease, and that's it. Just have to bear with it. Some days it's bearable, others I feel like jumping in front of a bus. I try to stay positive, but there's no doubt that it's had a huge effect on my life. A slow and insidious carving away at my soul, which will inevitably lead me to an early grave or an incredibly bitter and twisted old age.

[HandmadeDarcy]

BAD title. All three of the pain types described here can be chronic. The first pain will continue if you don’t address the cause - for example lower back pain caused by an undiagnosed tumor in the bowel. Too many practitioners will leap to the second and third types just to achieve their primary goal: to get the patient out of the clinic asap.

[sylviabarnes]

Psychologist here. Loved the information but definitely need it in more lay friendly language please!

[EDD]

talking acute vs chronic pain, everybody has had acute pain, but chronic pain is forever ! 24-365 !

[itsnotalwaysblackandwhite]

Not particularly helpful to anyone suffering from Chronic Pain.