Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

Chronic Pain

Long-term, or chronic, pain lasts after the expected time frame for recovery from the injury. Chronic pain is pain that has been a problem for more than three months. Chronic pain may occur after an initial injury or may be the result of an ongoing problem. It is possible to suffer from chronic pain without a past illness or injury. It is not as well known how chronic pain works. Chronic pain is complex and can have negative effects on a person. These include loss of function, decreased activity level, psychological distress, decreased pain threshold, decreased sexual drive, and sleep problems. Individuals with chronic pain may also suffer from episodes of acute pain, either from a new injury or a worsening of the chronic pain condition. The treatment goal with this type of pain is to decrease the level of pain and improve function.