Pain is the body’s warning signal of actual or potential damage. Medically, pain is defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.” Pain is experienced subjectively and can vary widely between individuals. Pain is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Even nonphysical aspects of life, such as stress, mood, and memories, can affect how we perceive pain. [1]
Acute pain is short-lived and directly linked to an injury or illness, such as a cut, burn, or infection. It usually goes away as the body heals. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is long-term and is often defined as pain that persists for three months or more. It can persist long after an injury has healed or occur without any apparent tissue damage. Often, chronic pain becomes a condition of its own, sometimes lasting for years. Unlike acute pain, which is a symptom of something else, chronic pain can become a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. [2]
There are many causes of chronic pain. In some cases, a clear trigger is identified, such as a back injury, surgery, arthritis, or nerve damage. In other cases, no single cause is found. Common categories of chronic pain include: Neuropathic pain (from nerve damage or malfunction, e.g. diabetic neuropathy or post-shingles pain); musculoskeletal pain (from bones, joints, muscles – often due to injury or “wear-and-tear” as in arthritis); visceral pain (from internal organs, e.g. chronic stomach pain); inflammatory pain (from ongoing inflammation, such as in rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune conditions); and central sensitization (where the brain and spinal cord amplify pain signals, making everything hurt more easily). Often multiple factors overlap – for example, a person might have arthritis and a nerve compression, both contributing to pain. [3]
Chronic pain can feel different for each person. Some describe it as aching, burning, shooting, throbbing, or stabbing. Because chronic pain is ongoing, it often leads to other issues. Common associated symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, and depression. It may also cause withdrawal from activities such as work or social life when the pain becomes overwhelming. Chronic pain rarely occurs alone; it often comes with “pain overload” symptoms, such as sensitivity to touch, headaches, and digestive problems. The type of pain determines the accompanying symptoms. For example, fibromyalgia often coexists with irritable bowel syndrome or headaches. [4]
The diagnosis process begins with a medical evaluation. Doctors consider pain to be chronic if it persists or recurs for more than three months. Since pain is subjective, the first step is discussing it in detail. Only you can describe exactly how it hurts. Where does it hurt? How intense is it on a scale from 0 to 10? When did it start, and how often does it flare up? Your medical history and life factors, such as stress, past injuries, and other illnesses, will be discussed. Then, the doctor will conduct a physical exam and may order tests to identify the cause. These tests may include X-rays or MRIs (for bone or joint issues or disc problems), electromyography (EMG) for nerve damage, or blood and urine tests to check for inflammation or disease. However, in many cases of chronic pain, no single “smoking gun” is found — the pain may be due to complex changes in the nervous system itself. [3]
Chronic pain is broadly categorized by its source:
Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain: It is caused by damaged or malfunctioning nerves. Examples include diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain), and pain from a trapped nerve, like sciatica. Neuropathic pain is often described as a burning sensation, tingling, electric shocks, or “pins and needles.”
Nociceptive/Musculoskeletal pain: From injured tissues, such as muscles, bones, and joints. This is the most common type of pain, such as arthritis joint pain or chronic back pain. It often feels like aching, throbbing, or stiffness, and it is aggravated by movement.
Inflammatory pain: Caused by ongoing inflammation (an immune response) in tissues. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus cause joints to become chronically inflamed, resulting in chronic pain. Infections, such as chronic sinusitis or interstitial cystitis, can also cause this type of pain.
Central sensitization: This occurs when the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) becomes overly responsive, amplifying pain signals. Pain may spread widely, and non-painful stimuli, such as light touch, may feel painful. Fibromyalgia is a classic example of central sensitization.
Psychogenic pain: Pain without clear physical damage that is often influenced by psychological factors. This doesn’t mean the pain isn’t real; it can be as intense as any other type of pain. For instance, long-term stress or trauma can cause changes in the nervous system that generate pain sensations. [3]
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, as well as sleep and memory issues. It is believed to involve abnormal processing of pain signals by the brain and spinal cord, amplifying them even when tissue damage is minor or absent. Those with fibromyalgia often describe having a constant, dull ache throughout their entire body (on both sides and above and below the waist) for at least three months. Other common symptoms include tiredness (even after long periods of sleep), “fibro fog” (trouble concentrating), headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, and anxiety and depression. Although there is no cure, medications (such as pain relievers and antidepressants) and treatments (such as exercise, stress reduction, sleep improvement, and therapy) can help control symptoms. [5]
Arthritis literally means “joint inflammation.” It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in one or more joints. There are many forms of arthritis, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that normally cushions the ends of bones in a joint wears away, causing the bones to rub together and resulting in pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing chronic inflammation and damage. Arthritis pain is typically worse with movement, and symptoms often worsen with age or overuse. Other causes of chronic joint pain include gout (from uric acid crystals) and conditions such as psoriasis or lupus that affect the joints. [6]
Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differ greatly in terms of their causes and patterns. OA is a degenerative, mechanical condition in which cartilage breaks down over time. It typically affects large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, and develops slowly. RA, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that often affects smaller joints, such as those in the hands and wrists, and causes swelling and pain on both sides of the body. RA patients often experience joint stiffness, especially in the morning, and may exhibit systemic symptoms such as fatigue. OA pain typically worsens with joint use, whereas RA can cause joint warmth and redness and may be accompanied by general illness flare-ups. [6]
Neuropathy, also known as neuropathic pain, refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, which are located outside of the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry signals between the body and the central nervous system. When these nerves are injured by diabetes, toxins, infections, trauma, or autoimmune processes, they may send abnormal pain signals. People with peripheral neuropathy often experience burning, stabbing, tingling, or electric shock-like sensations, typically in their hands and feet. Diabetes is a very common cause of neuropathy. Since nerves control sensation and movement, neuropathy can also cause numbness, weakness, and coordination problems. [7]
Sciatica is a specific type of neuropathic pain. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down each leg, is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Sciatica causes sharp, shooting pain and numbness or tingling that radiates from the lower back or buttocks down into the leg and sometimes the foot. Doctors may use certain exercises and pain-relief medications to treat sciatica. In some cases, they may also use spinal injections, such as epidural steroids, if other measures don’t help.
Low back pain is extremely common. It often begins without a clear cause, and many people improve over time. However, when back pain persists for more than a few weeks, it becomes “chronic” and can limit daily activities. Doctors advise staying active with walking, gentle exercise, and physiotherapy, even if it hurts a bit. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help in the short term, and paracetamol alone is usually not enough. Heat or ice, stretching exercises, and improving posture are also recommended. If the pain is severe or not improving, your GP may refer you to a specialist for additional treatment. According to NICE guidelines, treatments may include supervised exercise programs, manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy for coping, and nerve procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation, in select cases. Surgery (e.g., for a slipped disc) is only considered when a clear surgical cause is identified and conservative care has failed. [8]
Chronic pain can be extremely debilitating. It often interferes with daily life, making it difficult to work, socialize, and take care of personal needs. It can also impair sleep and energy levels, leading to fatigue and mood problems. Chronic pain worsens significantly when accompanied by stress, anxiety, or anger. Many people with chronic pain feel trapped in a “downward spiral”: pain causes depression or anxiety, and these emotions increase pain sensitivity. This makes treating chronic pain a multidimensional challenge involving not just the body, but also mental well-being and social support. [9]
There is a close link between chronic pain and mental health. People with depression or anxiety often report experiencing more intense and long-lasting pain. Conversely, dealing with unrelenting pain can cause or exacerbate depression and anxiety. From a scientific perspective, pain and emotion share brain pathways. Regions such as the amygdala and neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are involved in both pain sensation and mood regulation. Studies show up to two-thirds of patients with certain pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome, experience significant psychological distress. In fact, patients with chronic pain report high rates of depression, as much as 80% in some studies. Treating pain often requires addressing these overlapping mood issues. For example, antidepressant medications and therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with both pain and mood. [4]
There is a wide range of treatments available, and combining therapies often works best. In general, chronic pain care includes the following:
Medications: These depend on the type of pain. Simple analgesics, such as paracetamol and NSAIDs like ibuprofen, may alleviate some aches and pains, but they are often insufficient for long-term chronic pain. Drugs used to treat nerve pain include tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, e.g., duloxetine), and anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin and pregabalin). Short-term opioids, such as tramadol, are sometimes used to treat acute flare-ups. However, major guidelines do not recommend long-term opioid use for chronic primary pain due to the limited benefits and risk of dependence. However, if the pain has a clear cause, such as cancer or end-stage disease, opioids may be appropriate under specialist care.
Physical Therapies: Exercise and physiotherapy are key. Regular, gentle exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, can reduce pain over time by strengthening muscles and blocking pain signals. Physiotherapists may teach you stretching, strengthening, and postural exercises. Manual therapies, such as massage and spinal manipulation, can help alleviate back and joint pain.
Psychological Therapies: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and related approaches have been proven effective in coping with chronic pain. CBT can help change your mindset about pain and improve your coping strategies. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend CBT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for people with chronic pain. Relaxation training, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness meditation may ease pain by reducing stress and “retraining” the brain’s response to pain.
Self-Management Programs: Many health systems offer courses in pain management. These courses teach pacing, goal setting, relaxation, and stress management.
Interventional Procedures: In some cases, interventional procedures can help. Examples include nerve blocks, which involve injecting anesthetic or steroid near nerves to reduce inflammation; radiofrequency ablation, which involves burning small nerves to stop pain signals and is used for certain types of spinal pain; and spinal cord stimulators, which are implantable devices that send mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to mask pain signals and are usually used for severe neuropathic pain. These interventions are usually considered only after other treatments have failed.
Other Therapies: There is some evidence that acupuncture provides short-term pain relief. TENS machines, which deliver mild electrical stimulation, and massages may help some people, though the evidence is mixed. Maintaining good sleep and nutrition habits and quitting smoking (which increases pain sensitivity) are also important supportive steps. [10]
Recent guidelines advise great caution. For long-term chronic pain, especially when there is no ongoing injury to heal, opioids such as codeine, morphine, and oxycodone are generally not recommended. Studies show that they often provide little long-term benefit, yet carry the risk of tolerance, dependence, side effects, and withdrawal. UK guidance (NICE) explicitly states that opioids should not be started for chronic primary pain and should be stopped if they are already being taken without clear benefit. In practice, doctors may use a weak opioid, such as tramadol, for a brief flare-up or continue prescribing an opioid if it has clearly helped and no other treatment options are effective. For most chronic pain conditions, safer alternatives, such as physical therapy, psychological therapy, and other medications, are preferred. [11]
Many patients benefit from non-pharmacological approaches. Key strategies include:
Exercise and Activity: Staying active through activities such as walking, swimming, gentle stretching, cycling, yoga, and Pilates can prevent stiffness, improve blood flow, and reduce pain sensitivity. In fact, NICE strongly recommends group exercise programs supervised by professionals for chronic pain management. [12]
Psychological Therapies: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) help patients change how they think about pain and learn coping skills. These therapies have been shown to improve pain control, mood, and function.
Relaxation and Breathing: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can break the tension–pain cycle. For instance, when in pain, focusing on slow, deep breaths can prevent panic and muscle tightening, which reduces pain intensity.
Self-help and Education: Reading reputable books or resources on pain management (e.g., The Pain Toolkit or the British Pain Society guides) can empower patients with helpful strategies. Support groups and talking with others who have chronic pain can also help by providing emotional support and sharing tips.
Sleeping Well: Good sleep hygiene is crucial because poor sleep exacerbates pain (and vice versa). Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding irregular naps, and addressing sleep disorders can help manage pain.
Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on joints, which is important for people with arthritis. Quitting smoking can also lessen pain sensitivity. Managing stress through hobbies or therapy is also beneficial since stress hormones can exacerbate pain. [13]
Although chronic pain isn’t “all in the mind,” the mind plays a significant role in how pain is perceived. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teach coping skills. Patients learn to reinterpret pain signals, set achievable activity goals, and avoid catastrophizing, or spiraling into fear about pain. CBT is the most extensively studied psychological treatment for pain. It improves coping skills and often reduces perceived pain. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps patients accept pain as part of life while focusing on values and meaningful activities despite it. Relaxation training, hypnosis, meditation, and hypnotherapy can reduce the stress and anxiety that amplify pain. Overall, these therapies “retrain” the brain’s response to pain, reducing the distress it causes. [4]
Exercise is an essential part of chronic pain treatment. Gentle, regular activity can block pain signals and increase endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Physical therapists often design personalized exercise programs that gradually increase strength and flexibility without causing harm. While starting an exercise program may temporarily increase pain in the short term as muscles are challenged, it typically leads to less pain and better function over weeks. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are especially recommended because they’re effective yet gentle on the body. [13]
Providing a complete description of your pain helps clinicians tailor your treatment. Your doctor or pain specialist will ask you to describe exactly where the pain is, how long it has been present, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life. Psychologists know chronic pain is real and don’t think it’s “imagined.” Instead, they address the emotional and behavioral factors that can intensify pain. Providing detailed information helps professionals better understand your condition and determine if you could benefit from certain therapies or programs.
It is vital to maintain a normal sleep routine. Pain can disrupt sleep, and lack of sleep can worsen pain. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, and avoid long naps. If you are lying awake in pain, try relaxation exercises. If sleep problems persist, discuss them with your doctor. Good sleep is part of effective pain management.
Unfortunately, most chronic pain cannot be cured. According to pain specialists, chronic pain is common and is typically managed rather than eliminated. Treatments often only reduce pain to a certain degree. The goal is to improve function and quality of life, even if some pain remains. Many people learn to live well with chronic pain by using medications, therapies, and coping strategies.
No, ignoring chronic pain usually doesn’t make it disappear. Trying to “put pain out of mind” is rarely effective and may lead to more problems in the long term. Once neural pathways are sensitized, pain signals tend to persist. Active coping strategies, such as therapy, pacing, and relaxation, are generally more effective than simply hoping the pain will vanish on its own.
The presence of psychologists on pain teams does not mean that pain is all in your head. Rather, they address the well-known relationship between the mind and pain. Chronic pain can affect thoughts and emotions, such as causing depression or fear, and these emotions can worsen pain. Psychologists can help you develop coping techniques, relaxation strategies, and stress management skills, as well as provide emotional support. Studies show that pain education and psychological support can significantly improve pain management.
Talk to your employer about your chronic pain. You may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under disability law. These adjustments may include ergonomic chairs, flexible hours, or additional breaks. The UK’s Access to Work program may help fund special equipment or support in the workplace. It may also be helpful to have a written care plan from your doctor and to pace your workload. If your chronic pain is severe, vocational rehabilitation or occupational therapy may provide strategies for maintaining employment. [14]
Flare-ups, or sudden worsening of pain, are common and can be unpredictable. If you experience a flare-up, discuss it with your healthcare provider. You may need a temporary change in treatment or an additional course of therapy. Keep track of any new symptoms, such as numbness or weakness, as these may signal a treatable problem. In general, maintain your self-management routines (gentle activity, relaxation, and taking your medication as prescribed) and seek support early on. Pain teams emphasize that pain may not always have an identifiable cause during flare-ups, but reviewing your care plan during flare-ups helps you adapt your strategies over time. [12]
Yes. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce pain or lessen its impact. For instance, losing weight can ease the pressure on joints affected by osteoarthritis. Eating a balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods, such as oily fish and vegetables, may help reduce systemic inflammation. It’s also important to quit smoking because smokers are more likely to have chronic back pain, and nicotine can increase pain sensitivity. Managing stress is also important because chronic stress hormones can amplify pain signals. Lifestyle changes alone won’t “cure” pain, but they support other treatments and improve overall well-being.
It’s natural to feel frustrated, angry, or sad about ongoing pain. Coping strategies include seeking social support from friends, family, or support groups; practicing relaxation or mindfulness; engaging in enjoyable hobbies; and setting realistic daily goals. Talking therapies and support groups can help you express your feelings and learn from others’ experiences. Remember that small improvements do count—celebrating any reduction in pain or increase in activity can improve your mood.
Never hesitate to seek medical help if your pain becomes intolerable or if you experience new symptoms, such as sudden weakness, severe numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, as these could indicate an emergency. For most chronic pain, try using your coping toolkit. Contact your doctor if the pain stays severe despite your usual measures. Remember, pain is real and serious, and you deserve support. If one treatment isn’t working, know that there are often other options or new strategies to try.
Indeed, chronic pain can have ripple effects on the rest of the body’s health. The stress and discomfort of constant pain can lead to health issues like high blood pressure. Pain can also lead to poor sleep, which can affect hormones, immune function, and blood pressure. Chronic pain can also weaken immune responses because constant pain is a stressor on the body. It often leads to reduced physical activity, which can indirectly cause problems like weight gain and decreased heart and muscle function. Chronic pain is also linked to higher levels of inflammation in certain conditions. While pain itself is not a disease of the heart or blood vessels, its secondary effects — stress, limited mobility, and poor sleep — can impact your overall physical health.
Yes, children and teenagers can experience chronic pain, though it’s less common than in adults. They can develop conditions such as juvenile arthritis (joint pain and inflammation), chronic headaches or migraines, chronic abdominal pain (sometimes related to disorders like irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]), and generalized pain syndromes like fibromyalgia (which can occur in adolescence). Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is another rare condition that can affect children after an injury. As with adults, if a child’s pain lasts more than three months, it’s considered chronic.
For some people, diet can play a supporting role in managing chronic pain. Although there is no “magic diet” that cures chronic pain, a balanced, healthy diet can potentially help by reducing inflammation and improving overall health. For example, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (such as those found in fish, nuts, and olive oil) provide nutrients and antioxidants that combat inflammation. Some people find that an anti-inflammatory diet similar to the Mediterranean diet—including foods such as leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and omega-3-rich fish—may ease their pain, especially if their pain is inflammatory in nature (such as with rheumatoid arthritis). Conversely, highly processed foods, excessive sugar, and trans fats may contribute to inflammation and aggravate pain in conditions like arthritis, according to some studies. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet is also important because extra weight puts more strain on joints and can worsen pain in weight-bearing areas, such as the back, hips, and knees. Additionally, some chronic pain patients have specific food sensitivities. For example, some migraine sufferers have triggers, and some fibromyalgia patients report that certain foods affect them. Keeping a food diary can help you identify which foods consistently flare up your pain.
Surgery is sometimes used to treat chronic pain, but only when other treatments have failed or when there is a correctable anatomical problem. For instance, if someone has chronic pain due to a clearly identifiable issue, such as a badly degenerated knee (osteoarthritis), joint replacement surgery could significantly reduce the pain. Similarly, chronic back pain caused by a pinched nerve or spinal instability may improve with specific surgical procedures, such as decompression surgery or spinal fusion. However, surgery is not applicable and wouldn’t help for many types of chronic pain without a clear structural cause or for widespread pain conditions like fibromyalgia. In fact, undergoing unnecessary surgeries can sometimes worsen chronic pain.
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine is a small, battery-powered device that delivers mild electrical impulses through sticky pads placed on your skin. The tingling sensation from TENS is thought to block or disrupt pain signals traveling to the brain and stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Some people with chronic pain find TENS machines helpful for short-term pain relief. For example, applying TENS to the lower back or a painful joint while resting or performing light activity may temporarily reduce pain. TENS is a drug-free approach that is generally safe; the sensation should be strong but comfortable, not painful. However, the evidence on TENS is mixed. Notably, recent guidelines for chronic primary pain did not find clear proof of long-term benefit from TENS. This means that TENS may be highly effective for some individuals and ineffective for others.
Yes. Chronic pain is often categorized as either “chronic primary pain” or “chronic secondary pain.” Chronic primary pain is pain that is a condition in itself, rather than a symptom of another disease; the pain itself is the primary problem. Examples include fibromyalgia, chronic primary headaches, and non-specific low back pain where no clear cause is found. In these cases, the pain does not stem from an active injury or illness — or if it does, it is out of proportion to any observable injury — but it is still very real and distressing. Chronic secondary pain, on the other hand, comes from an identifiable underlying condition. For example, chronic pain from osteoarthritis originates from joint degeneration, and chronic pain from diabetic neuropathy is caused by nerve damage from diabetes.
Understanding that pain is subjective, doctors rely on your description and certain tools to assess it. One common method is to ask you to rate your pain on a numerical scale, typically ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain imaginable). They may also use questionnaires or inventories that ask about the nature of your pain (e.g., aching or burning) and how it affects your daily activities. There is no blood test or X-ray that can directly show chronic pain levels. Though tests may be performed to determine the cause of the pain, only you can report its intensity.
Absolutely. Although chronic pain is undoubtedly challenging, many people lead full and meaningful lives by learning to manage their condition. This process often involves finding the right combination of treatments, such as medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes, that work for you. It also means accepting that you may need to do some things differently than before. Success in chronic pain management is often measured by improvements in function and quality of life. For example, you may be able to return to part-time work or enjoy modified versions of your hobbies. With the help of pain management strategies, you can regain a sense of control. It’s important to set realistic goals and celebrate small victories. For instance, maybe you walked around the block twice this week, whereas last week, you could only do it once. Or, perhaps you managed a social activity by pacing yourself. Over time, these successes add up.
Yes, Botox is FDA-approved and NICE-recommended for preventing chronic migraines (15 or more headache days per month), particularly when other preventive treatments have been unsuccessful. Large-scale trials (PREEMPT I & II) demonstrate that Botox reduces headache days and improves quality of life, and is well tolerated. [15]
RFA uses focused heat, generated by radio waves, to interrupt pain signals by destroying target sensory nerves. These nerves may supply spinal facet joints or the knee (genicular nerves). It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed with local anesthesia to avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia. Pain relief typically lasts three to 15 months, though nerves can regenerate and pain may return over time. RFA is particularly useful for well-localized joint pain when diagnostic nerve blocks confirm the source. [16]
SCS involves implanting a device that delivers electrical pulses to specific areas of the spinal cord to “mask” pain signals. It is commonly used to treat failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathic or visceral pain that does not respond to conservative treatments. After a successful external trial of 3–7 days, a permanent implant may be placed if the patient experiences at least 50% pain relief. SCS is typically reserved for patients who have exhausted less invasive options and require multimodal therapy. [17]
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