Chronic pain Archive

Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to one side of the forehead may be a cervicogenic headache. These headaches are sometimes mistaken for tension headaches or migraines. Cervicogenic headaches originate from a problem around the top of the spine. Possible causes include a herniated disk, arthritis, or an injury, such as whiplash. Treatments include pain relievers, physical therapy, and injections of steroids or anesthetics.

In a 2025 study, people with knee osteoarthritis reported less pain and had less knee cartilage damage after changing their walking gait to reduce pressure on the inner part of the knee.

A 2025 analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials involving 6,500 people found that tramadol, a widely prescribed opioid drug, was only mildly effective at reducing chronic pain. It increased the risks for both mild and serious side effects, including heart problems.

Shingles occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus reactivates, causing tingling, burning, and a painful, blistering rash. Shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, with higher risk after age 50 and in people with weakened immunity. Diagnosis and treatment within three days of the rash appearing can shorten the illness and reduce severity. Most people recover completely from shingles, but there may be complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, which is pain that can be severe and long-lasting. Vaccination is the best way to prevent shingles and its complications.

Costochondritis, which is inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and the breastbone, is one of the most common causes of chest pain and is frequently mistaken for a heart attack.

Chronic pelvic pain-medically known as chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome, or CP/CPPS-is one of the more common and challenging conditions older men face. Because the underlying cause may not be identified, doctors often take a trial-and-error approach to managing the common symptoms like throbbing, aching pain, urination problems, and sexual dysfunction. Options include different types of medication, physiotherapy, shock wave therapy, and aerobic exercise.

An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI is usually not needed for addressing low back pain unless people have other symptoms or risk factors for a serious condition. Short-term rest, heat or cold, and over-the-counter medication can ease discomfort until the back pain goes away.

Chronic back pain (pain that lasts more than 12 weeks) can be more challenging to diagnose and treat compared to short-term pain from an injury. The first-line approach is conservative treatment, such as over-the-counter pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. However, sometimes these are not enough, and advanced methods are needed. Depending on the source of chronic back pain, these can include stronger prescription medication, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.

A 2025 analysis found that tricyclic antidepressants, the anticonvulsants gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) were the most effective drug treatments for neuropathic pain.

A 2025 study of more than 11,000 people (average age 55), followed for about four years, those who walked more than 100 minutes a day had a 23% lower risk of chronic low back pain, compared with people who walked less than 78 minutes per day.