Chronic pain is any pain that lasts for more than three months. Chronic pain may arise from an initial injury, such as a back sprain, or there may be an ongoing cause, such as illness. Other health problems, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, and mood changes, often accompany chronic pain. Chronic pain may limit a person’s movements, which can reduce flexibility, strength, and stamina.Low back pain is considered to be chronic if it has been present for longer than three months. The type of pain may vary greatly and may be felt as bone pain, nerve pain or muscle pain. For instance, pain may be aching, burning, stabbing or tingling, sharp or dull, and well-defined or vague. The intensity may range from mild to severe.

There are a variety of options for the treatment of chronic pain. Under the general category of medications, there are both oral and topical therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Oral medications include those that can be taken by mouth, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and opioids.