Chronic pain is a unique condition that requires a unique approach. It is a complex illness that co-exists with many medical conditions. The process of acute pain transitioning to chronic pain is called pain chronification. When pain becomes chronic the peripheral neuroanatomy becomes less important and central mechanisms such as central sensitization, neuroinflammation and psychological factors (fear, anxiety, pain avoidance) gradually take over necessitating a shift in management directed more at the central nervous system.
