Probably all of us can think of people we know who have constant pain. While one person may be totally disabled by pain, another with similar problems may still make it to choir practice every week, or never miss a day of work. Researchers have been trying for years to figure out why human beings respond so differently to pain. What you expect your life to be like, or medicine to do for you, or your employer to provide for you can influence how you experience pain. One recent study indicates that workers who feel someone else was to blame for their injuries were 5.9 times more likely to have poor outcomes to pain treatment than were workers who felt either they were to blame or no one was at fault.
Control is a big issue.
Chronic pain is rarely cured, but there are many techniques which can help people control or manage their pain. Breathing and relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and distraction are useful tools. Behavioral techniques to improve sleep, which is often disturbed by pain, are also effective. Learning to move without tightening up and guarding against pain can help, too. But again, if you expect a cure, you will be disappointed.