Chronic Pain Health Center

Past injuries and preexisting conditions offer the most insight into the causes of chronic pain. An injury does not have to be recent to cause chronic pain or lay the foundations for chronic pain to develop. After an injury, ask your doctor about steps you can take to prevent chronic pain from occurring.

Preexisting conditions may be the cause of chronic pain in some individuals. Conditions such as arthritis, cancer, ear infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and vulvodynia may cause chronic and persistent pain.

However, there are many people who have chronic pain from no known cause. Clinical investigators have tested chronic pain patients and found that they often have lower-than-normal levels of endorphins in their spinal fluid. Investigations of acupuncture include wiring the needles to stimulate nerve endings electronically. Some researchers believe this activates the body's endorphin systems.