Factors that can cause and worsen chronic pain

Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the healing of an acute tissue injury. It can affect tissues, nerves, or both. It is persistent in nature and can lead to sleep disruption, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, and a general deterioration of health and functional capacity.

Multiple factors can cause, maintain, or aggravate chronic pain. Inherently painful, incurable diseases or health conditions include cancer, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and diabetic neuropathy. Chronic pain may be provoked by injury, surgery, or disease that causes damaged sensory nerves, sympathetic nervous system activity, and painful reflex muscle contractions. Psychological factors such as depression and emotional trauma can amplify, perpetuate, or even cause chronic pain. The multiple factors associated with chronic pain can make diagnosis and treatment a complex, lengthy process.

Review Date:4/1/2025
Reviewed By:Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.