Introduction
Introduction
It is estimated that 33-50 per cent of the UK population are affected by chronic pain,1 and a recent survey of 4,000 adults aged 16-75 by BBC News suggests that 25 per cent of people are living with pain.2
Consequently, the number of prescriptions issued for strong opioids in the UK to treat long-term pain have grown significantly. However, evidence increasingly suggests that they cause significant side effects, which can result in a reduced quality of life.3
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain, also known as long-term or persistent pain, is any pain that is present for more than three months. It may be secondary to an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or endometriosis (termed ‘chronic secondary pain’), or it may have no identifiable underlying cause (termed ‘chronic primary pain’).4
The progression to chronic primary pain can be characterised as sensitisation leading to pain which feels increasingly severe, despite the body not being further damaged. The brain and nervous system flash a warning signal, without there necessarily being any danger – like a car alarm going off when someone walks past.
Chronic pain affects between one third and one half of the UK population.1 This is likely to rise further with an ageing population.
Chronic pain classifications
Occurs in response to actual or potential damage to body tissues. Typical descriptors are aching, dull, throbbing
Occurs because of damage to the nerves or nervous system. Typical descriptors include shooting, stabbing, burning, tingling, prickling
A combination of nociceptive and neuropathic pains
Arises from the altered function of pain-related sensory pathways in the peripheral and central nervous systems, causing increased sensitivity. It can occur on its own or with nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain.