Understanding Chronic Pain
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Chronic pain, also called persistent pain, is pain that continues or keeps coming back for longer than three months. It is real, and it does not necessarily mean that there is ongoing damage in your body. These short introductions explain the modern understanding of chronic pain, why pain can continue after tissues have healed, and why an active, whole-person approach helps. Recommended videos and resources Introduction to Pain What you’ll learn: How chronic pain differs from acute pain, how the nervous system can change over time, and how neuroplasticity (the nervous system’s ability to change) gives a basis for reducing pain and improving function. It also encourages you to build a practical management plan with your healthcare team. Understanding Pain in Less Than Five Minutes (Brainman) What you’ll learn: A short, friendly animation explaining why pain may continue after the original problem has settled, and why looking after your activity, emotions and relationships is part of getting better. Brainman videos are licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 Australia. These resources are provided for general patient education and are not a substitute for an individual medical assessment or treatment plan. Persistent pain can have many causes, and the most appropriate management depends on the individual. If you have new, severe or changing symptoms, discuss them with your doctor or treating health professional. The videos and websites listed are produced by other organisations; links open on the external website. |
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