Chronic pain is long-standing discomfort that persists for months or even years. It may be constant or come and go, and it can affect any part of your body. In the UK, chronic pain is a widespread issue, affecting an estimated 43% of adults, with prevalence rising sharply in older age groups. It can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that interferes with daily life, work, and emotional wellbeing.
Common causes include long-term conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage, and fibromyalgia, and managing it often requires a personalised, long-term approach. At Ramsay Health Care, we offer expert assessment and tailored treatment plans to help you to regain control and improve your quality of life.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months. It can affect any part of your body and may be constant or come and go. Chronic pain, unlike acute pain, may persist long after an injury or illness has healed and often without an obvious cause or visible signs of injury or inflammation.
Living with chronic pain can take a serious toll, physically, emotionally, and socially. It can interfere with everyday activities such as work, sleep, and relationships, affecting quality of life.
Many people experience fatigue, anxiety, or depression as a result. This cluster of symptoms (pain, poor sleep, and depression) is often referred to as the pain-depression-anxiety triad, a cycle that can intensify suffering and make recovery more complex. Over time, chronic pain can alter how your body and brain process discomfort, making it harder to manage without consistent, compassionate support.
What causes chronic pain?
Chronic pain can stem from injuries, arthritis, nerve damage, or long-term conditions like fibromyalgia. It may also follow surgery, infection, or illness - even after healing appears complete.
Sometimes, pain continues because the nervous system stays sensitised, sending signals even when there’s no clear injury. This is why chronic pain often needs long-term, personalised care.
Chronic pain symptoms
Chronic pain can feel different for everyone, but common symptoms include:
- Constant aching or throbbing
- Sharp, shooting pains
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Muscle stiffness or tightness
- Tingling or numbness, especially with nerve-related pain
Beyond physical discomfort, chronic pain often affects your overall wellbeing. Many people experience:
- Fatigue from the strain of ongoing pain
- Sleep disturbances, including trouble falling or staying asleep
- Mental health challenges, such as anxiety, low mood, or irritability.
These symptoms can interact and intensify over time, making daily life more difficult without proper support.
Pain that does not go away
Chronic pain often continues long after an injury or illness has healed. Even when scans or tests show no ongoing damage, the pain can persist - sometimes for months or years. This happens because your nervous system may stay sensitised, sending pain signals even when there’s no clear physical cause. It’s not “just in your head”- it’s a real, complex condition that affects how your body and brain process discomfort.
Understanding this helps shift the focus from “fixing” your injury to managing the pain itself, through personalised care, rehabilitation, and emotional support.
Impact on mood and mental health
Chronic pain can affect more than just your body. It often leads to anxiety, low mood, and sleep problems. This cycle of pain, poor sleep, and depression is known as the pain-depression-anxiety triad, and it can make symptoms harder to manage. That’s why treating both physical and emotional health is key to long-term relief.
Chronic pain treatment options
You may be wondering how to deal with chronic pain and what treatments there are. Chronic pain can be complex and persistent, but a range of treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
These may include medications to reduce pain or inflammation, physical therapy to restore movement and strength, and lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, improved sleep, and stress reduction. In many cases, effective chronic pain management also involves psychological support, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), to help patients cope with the emotional impact of long-term pain and break the cycle of distress.
Medications and pain relief
We often get asked ‘what is the best pain medication for chronic pain?’ But this is subjective and depends on the individual, the specific type of pain, and other factors like overall health.
Chronic pain may be treated with medications like NSAIDs to reduce inflammation, opioids for short-term relief, and antidepressants to help regulate pain signals—especially in nerve-related conditions. These can also support sleep and mood, which are often affected by long-term pain.
Physical therapy and exercise
Physiotherapy and regular exercise are key components of chronic pain management. They help improve mobility, strengthen muscles, and reduce stiffness - making everyday movement easier and less painful. Gentle, targeted exercises can also support posture, joint function, and flexibility, while reducing reliance on medication.
Over time, staying active helps retrain your body’s response to pain and can even improve your mood and sleep. With guidance from a physiotherapist, movement becomes a powerful tool for long-term relief.
Psychological therapies
Psychological therapies play a vital role in chronic pain management, especially when pain affects your mood, sleep, and daily functioning.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used approaches. It helps people understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours influence their experience of pain, and teaches practical strategies to reduce distress and improve coping. CBT can also support lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and goal-setting, This can empower you to manage pain more effectively and regain a sense of control.
When chronic pain becomes too much
Chronic pain can become overwhelming, especially when it starts interfering with your ability to function, sleep, or cope emotionally. If pain is getting worse, spreading, or no longer responds to your usual treatments, it’s time to seek medical advice. Other warning signs include sudden changes in mood, persistent fatigue, or difficulty performing everyday tasks.
You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable. A healthcare professional can help assess your symptoms, explore new treatment options, and offer support tailored to your needs. Early intervention can prevent pain from escalating and improve your overall wellbeing.
Chronic pain support at Ramsay Health Care
At Ramsay Health Care, we offer specialised services for people living with chronic pain. Our expert pain management consultants provide personalised care plans that may include medication, physiotherapy, psychological support, and lifestyle guidance. Whether your pain is linked to arthritis, nerve damage, or an ongoing condition, our multidisciplinary approach is designed to help you regain control and improve your quality of life.
Are you suffering from chronic pain?
Contact us today to book an appointment with one of our chronic pain specialists and start your journey toward effective relief. You can also book online through our Health Hub and explore more about our services on the pain management page.
Chronic Pain FAQs
