Persistent or chronic pain conditions can be difficult to treat, with a poorly defined diagnosis and difficulty in identifying cause or prognosis. It can be related to specific conditions but often there is no specific underlying disease process which can be identified to explain the symptoms. It can have a significant impact on people’s lives and affects mood, sleep, mobility and social factors such as work or ability to fulfil caring responsibilities. Medical management of patients with chronic pain is complex – people often expect a clear diagnosis and effective treatment but these are rarely available.
Pain services focus on reducing the suffering experienced by a person with chronic pain. It combines physical, emotional, intellectual, and social skills to help the individual regain control of their life and enhance the quality and pleasure of that life despite the pain.