Pain from a burn, broken bone or following surgery falls into this category. Acute pain is temporary, lasting from a few seconds to several months, but goes away after the injury heals. Chronic pain lasts anywhere from a few months to years. It affects your lifestyle, work performance and contributes to depression. Chronic pain isn't just tough on the patient.
Entire families suffer when someone they love is miserable.
Group therapy is often helpful. At UCSF, a weekly two-hour session is offered. In the first hour, patients listen to experts on medication, nutrition and other pain management techniques. During the second hour, they share their dilemma with pain and explore which solutions could work for them. You can't just buy lettuce and expect to make a good salad.