Pain is a feeling triggered in the nervous system. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen or chest or you may feel pain all over, such as when your muscles ache from the flu.
Pain can be helpful. Without pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Once you take care of the problem, pain usually goes away. However, sometimes pain goes on for weeks, months or even years. This is called chronic pain. Sometimes chronic pain is due to an ongoing cause, such as cancer or arthritis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Fortunately, there are many ways to treat pain. Treatment varies depending on the cause of pain. Pain relievers, acupuncture and sometimes surgery are helpful.
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Chronic Pain: How to Get Relief(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/551.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/551.printerview.html
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Pain: Hope through Research
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic_pain/detail_chronic_pain.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/dolor.htm
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Chronic Pain(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic_pain/chronic_pain.htm
- Pain(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch078/ch078a.html
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Pain Management(National Institute of Nursing Research) - Links to PDF - http://www.ninr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/DC0351A6-7029-4FE0-BEEA-7EFC3D1B23AE/0/Pain.pdf
- Narcotic Patch Effective for Severe Cancer Pain(09/30/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69860.html
- Sex Bias Seen in Control of Cancer Pain(09/26/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69756.html
- Body Pain May Be Due to Chronic Sinus Trouble(09/22/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69533.html
- More News on Pain http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_p.html#pain
- Pain Drawing(American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) - http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/pain/paindrawing.htm
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Chronic Pain: How to Get Relief(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/551.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/551.printerview.html
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JAMA Patient Page: Acute Pain Treatment(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/1/128
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/299/1/128/DC1/1
- Management of Pain(American Society of Anesthesiologists) - http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation/managepain.htm
- Neuropathic Pain Treatment Options(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/TreatmentOptionsContinuum_NeuropathicPain.asp
- OMT: Hands-on Care(American Osteopathic Association) - http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_omt
- Opioid Drugs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/opioids.htm
- Treatment Options: A Guide for People Living with Pain(American Pain Foundation) - Large PDF file - http://www.painfoundation.org/Publications/TreatmentOptions2006.pdf
- Trigger Point Injections(American Pain Foundation) - http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?file=QandA/Trigger.htm
- Integrative Pain Therapy(Continuum Center for Health and Healing, Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care) - http://www.healingchronicpain.org/content/introduction/intgtherapy.asp
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Introduction to Acupuncture(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/
- Prolotherapy: An Effective Treatment for Chronic Pain?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/prolotherapy/AN01330/METHOD=print
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Questions and Answers about Using Magnets to Treat Pain(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/magnet/magnet.htm
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968/363973.html?d=dmtContent
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Use of Magnets for Pain(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/magnet/
- Using Complementary Therapy to Relieve Pain(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/News_Complementary.asp
- Pain and Your Mental Health(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/MyTreatment_PainAndYourMentalHealth.asp
- Choosing a Multidisciplinary Pain Program(American Chronic Pain Association) - http://www.theacpa.org/people/pain_program.asp
- Daily Pain Diary(American Geriatrics Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/daily_pain_diary.pdf
- Exercise Takes the Edge Off Chronic Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chronic-pain/AR00017/METHOD=print
- Managing Breakthrough Pain (BTP)(American Chronic Pain Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.theacpa.org/documents/Breakthrough%20Pain%209-20-06.pdf
- Managing Chronic Pain(American Occupational Therapy Association) - http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Conditions/Pain/35165.aspx
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Pain Intensity Scales(NIH Pain Consortium) - http://painconsortium.nih.gov/pain_scales/index.html
- Quality of Life Scale: A Measure of Function for People with Pain(American Chronic Pain Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.theacpa.org/documents/Quality_of_Life_Scale.pdf
- Symptom Management: Pain(Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care) - http://www.stoppain.org/palliative_care/content/symptom/pain.asp
- Tips for Dealing with Your Pain(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/MyTreatment_Tips_For_Dealing_With_Your_Pain.asp
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Central Pain Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/central_pain/central_pain.htm
- Chronic Pain(American Geriatrics Society) - http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/forum/chronicpain.shtml
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome(Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care) - http://www.stoppain.org/pain_medicine/content/chronicpain/myofascial.asp
- Psychogenic Pain(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/pain_management/hic_psychogenic_pain.aspx
- Understanding Nerve Pain(American Chronic Pain Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.theacpa.org/nerve/pdf/Final_Brochure.pdf
- Chronic Pain: When No Physical Cause Can Be Found(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chronic-pain/PN00034/METHOD=print
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Pain Information Index(NIH Pain Consortium) - http://painconsortium.nih.gov/pain_index.html
- Sexuality and Chronic Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chronic-pain/PN00009/METHOD=print
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Somatoform Disorder: What It Is and How to Cope(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/162.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/162.printerview.html
- Tips for Finding a Pain Physician(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyPain/TipsForFindingAPainPhysician.asp
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Inside Look at Chronic Pain Therapy: Expert Panel Discussion on Neurostimulation(OR-Live) - Requires Flash Player - One hour program - 2/06/2008 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/chp_1867/rnh.cfm?id=704
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Pain(Healthy Roads Media) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org/english/Files/flv/engpain.htm
- How You Feel Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pain/PN00017/METHOD=print
- Financial Issues for Pain Treatment(American Pain Foundation) - http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?menu=1&item=3&file=documents/doc_017.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pain(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Pain%22
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NIH Pain Consortium Clinical Trials(NIH Pain Consortium) - http://painconsortium.nih.gov/clinicaltrials.html
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Study Suggests Improved Treatments for Neuropathic Pain(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_pain_MMPs.htm
- What Does the Future Hold for Marijuana for Pain?(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/MyTreatment_Cannabinoids.asp
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: The clinical value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in predicting... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18806508&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Pain as a nonmotor symptom of Parkinson disease: evidence from... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18779422&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Musculoskeletal injuries and pain in dancers: a systematic review. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18760170&tool=MedlinePlus
- Pain -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(pain+measurement[majr]+OR+pain+clinics[majr]+OR+pain[majr:noexp])+NOT+(anesthetics[mh]+OR+analgesics[mh]+OR+pain/th[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(editorial[pt]+OR+letter[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Glossary(Beth Israel Medical Center, Dept. of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care) - http://www.stoppain.org/main_site/content/glossary.asp
- Glossary of Pain Terminology(American Pain Society) - http://www.ampainsoc.org/links/pain_glossary.htm
- Find a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician(American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) - http://www.e-aapmr.org/imis/imisonline/findphys/find.cfm
- Search the AAPM Membership Directory(American Academy of Pain Medicine) - http://www.association-office.com/aapm/etools/publicdir/search.cfm
- Search the National Pain Foundation's Caregiver Directory(American Geriatrics Society) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyProviders/default_search.asp
- American Chronic Pain Association - http://www.theacpa.org/
- American Pain Foundation - http://www.painfoundation.org/
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
- National Pain Foundation - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org
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NIH Pain Consortium - http://painconsortium.nih.gov/
- Pain Facts & Figures(American Pain Foundation) - http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?file=Newsroom/PainFacts.htm
- Pain in Children(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/pain_management/hic_pain_in_children.aspx
- Pediatric Pain: Psychological Factors Related to Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/articles/Pediatric_General_Pain.asp
- Why Do I Have Pain?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/pain.html
- Common Pain Causes Among Older Adults(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/articles/Senior_Common_Pain_Causes_Among_Older_Adults.asp
- Eldercare at Home: Pain(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/eldercare/11.xml?mode=html&§ion=1&&chapter=11&&page=1
- Pain in Dementia: A Family and Caregivers Guide to Assessment and Treatment(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - Links to PDF - http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pain/pain_dementia.pdf
- Persistent Pain(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pef/persistent_pain.php
- Abdominal Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/abdominalpain.html
- Back Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backpain.html
- Chest Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/chestpain.html
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/complexregionalpainsyndrome.html
- Pain Relievers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/painrelievers.html
- Palliative Care - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/palliativecare.html
- Trigeminal Neuralgia - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/trigeminalneuralgia.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
- Symptoms - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/symptoms.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Pain is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Pain - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/pain.html