Neurology

Long-Term Pain (Chronic Pain) in Adults: What It Means

Long-term (chronic) pain is pain that lasts or keeps coming back for at least 3–6 months. It may happen because of an illness, injury, or other health problem. Sometimes, there's no known cause.

With chronic pain, you may have:

Headaches.
Belly pain.
Pain in other parts of your body.

Long-term pain can make daily life hard. If it's not treated, it can cause feelings of worry or sadness. Treatment depends on what's causing your pain.

You may need to see a pain specialist to help create a treatment plan. Many people feel better with two or more kinds of treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

Treatment plan

Follow your treatment plan as told by your health care provider. This may include:

Exercising as told.
Eating a healthy diet.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help change how you think or act about your pain.
Relaxation methods like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, or massage therapy.
Using plant oils or scents (aromatherapy).

Other treatments may include:

Medicines for pain.
Light, color, or sound therapy.
Electrical devices to stop pain signals.
Shots of medicine in your spine or other painful areas.

Medicines

Take your medicines only as told.
You may need to take steps to help treat or prevent trouble pooping (constipation), such as:
- Taking medicines to help you poop.
- Eating foods high in fiber, like beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Drinking more fluids as told.
Ask your provider if it's safe to drive or use machines while taking your medicine.

Lifestyle

Ask your provider if you should keep a pain diary. This may include keeping track of:
- When you feel pain.
- What the pain feels like.
- How medicines or other treatments help your pain.
You may need to talk with a mental health provider about managing your pain.
Consider joining a support group for long-term pain.
Find ways to control stress.

General instructions

Learn as much as you can about how to help your pain.
Check your pain level as told.
Ask about using a pain scale.

Contact a health care provider if:

Your pain doesn't get better.
You feel weak or have trouble doing daily activities.
You have trouble sleeping or feel confused.
You lose feeling or feel numb.
You lose control of when you poop or pee.

Get help right away if:

You have chest pain.
You have trouble breathing.
You faint.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 911 right away.

Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Also, get help right away if:

You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.
You have thoughts about taking your own life.
You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.

Take one of these steps right away:

Go to your nearest emergency room.
Call 911.
Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential):
- Call or text 988.
- Chat online at chat.988lifeline.org.
For Veterans and their loved ones:
- Call 988 and press 1.
- Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255.
- Chat online at veteranscrisisline.net.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Document Revised: 08/15/2025 Document Reviewed: 08/15/2025