
Persistent Pain Program – By Susan Anderson and Maddy Lee
Just what is persistent pain, exactly? Persistent pain is pain that lasts more than three months. Although its definition seems short and sweet, persistent pain is complex and multi-faceted. It has many potential causes, for example injury, illness, or disease. There are many ways in which it can manifest; it could be in a specific part of the body, the entire body, or it can move around the body. As a result, persistent pain is not necessarily experienced the same way by everyone.
Persistent pain can have a broad reaching impact on a person’s life. Not only can there be physical pain that may or may not have a clear or known cause, but the person may also experience changes in their pattern of breathing, the way they move, and the quality of their sleep. Living with persistent pain can impact a person’s mental wellbeing by affecting their self-esteem, thoughts, and ability to regulate their emotions. It can impact personal and...