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“Some of the most common types of chronic pain include lower back pain, musculoskeletal pain and headaches, as well as the pain of arthritis, pain after surgery or trauma, and very serious conditions such as cancer.”

WHO GETS CHRONIC PAIN?

“Chronic pain can affect anyone of any age. It becomes more common with age and women experience it more often than men. The nature and severity of chronic pain can also vary significantly from person to person.”

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO ABOUT IT?

Stillman says treating pain quickly is important, as this can be a factor in preventing it from becoming a chronic or more severe problem in the long run.

“Pain requires rapid management if it’s not to escalate and become worse. In short, it needs to be nipped in the bud,” he says. However, seeking expert advice and ensuring treatment is appropriate is also vital.

“While people sometimes turn to oral analgesics (painkillers) to manage chronic pain, these can be linked with side-effects and can become quite ‘addictive’, exposing a person to an even greater risk of side-effects.

“Oral pain killers may in some cases interact with prescription medicines,” Stillman says.

Not everyone with chronic pain will require more specialist treatment but where the underlying causes are more complex, or over-thecounter medicines have not helped, patients may benefit from a pain management specialist. Having a conversation with your GP is the best place to start.