Chronic Pain Is on the Rise. Here’s How to Catch it Early, Get Help and Treat it

For years, cases of chronic pain have been climbing. In fact, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that nearly one in four U.S. adults struggle with some form of chronic pain.

“It’s becoming very much an epidemic,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, a board-certified internist and author of the book Pain Free 1-2-3. Recent reports show that in 2016, 20.4% of United States adults had chronic pain that lasted three months or longer. That rose to 20.9% in 2021 and to 24.3% in 2023. 

While this issue used to be mainly diagnosed in older adults, Teitelbaum says he and his colleagues have seen it grow in younger demographics. “It used to be mostly just the elderly, but now, between migraines, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, it’s hitting, especially, women and especially people in their 20s to 50s,” he explains.

Here’s what to know about when an everyday ache and pain becomes something more serious — and what to do about it. 

How do you know if you have chronic pain?

Chronic pain can either occur on a continuous basis or may come and go. But it’s often the time it’s been bothering you that factors into whether it’s chronic or not. “Chronic pain, by definition, is pain that’s lasted more than three months,” says Teitelbaum. So if you’ve experienced pain that hasn’t gotten better with at-home measures and has lasted that long, he adds, you should go and have it checked out. 

There are many different types of chronic pain that a person can be affected by; one of the most common is back pain, but some of the more common ones include:

• Neck pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Cancer pain
• Arthritis or joint pain, such as knee pain
• Nerve pain

What are the signs?

You may notice your chronic pain is always there or it can subside and then return. The symptoms are different for everyone and depend on what type of pain you are experiencing. But some common things people with chronic pain complain of include:

• Mild to very bad pain that does not go away 
• Shooting pain
• Burning pain
• Aching or electrical pain
• Soreness and tightness in the affected area
• Stinging or throbbing pain
• Squeezing pain

Chronic pain can also lead to other secondary conditions such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, trouble sleeping at night and irritability and mood swings. 

Why is chronic pain on the rise? 

Doctors are constantly researching the causes behind chronic pain. The current consensus is that cases can start as the result of an illness or injury or could be the side effect of a condition like arthritis or cancer. What baffles researchers is that some people who suffer from chronic pain report not having a past injury or evidence of illness. Inflammation from the standard American diet, which can lead to inflammation in the body, can be a factor, says Teitelbaum. He also attributes the stress of the modern lifestyle, which can lead to poor habits, and lack of sleep as also playing a role. 

Dr. Precious Barnes, a concierge physician at Bespoke Concierge MD, adds that “People are living longer, and as we age, our bodies are more likely to develop health problems that cause pain, like arthritis or back issues,” she says. Our sedentary lifestyles can also contribute. “More jobs require us to sit in front of a computer causing us to be less active and spend more time sitting,” says Barnes. Injuries, surgeries, stress, and certain diseases can also place our muscles under chronic tension which in essence triggers chronic pain, according to Barnes. “If your body is constantly under tension the body’s pain system can become overly sensitive and this leads to chronic pain,” she says. 

When to get help 

If you notice new pain that’s persisted for longer than three months, it’s time to call your doctor. As Teitelbaum stresses, it’s important to also not ignore any new acute pain that comes on suddenly and could be something serious, like the sign of a heart attack. That isn’t a type of pain you want to wait to see if it will subside. “A new pain, and it’s the worst pain of your life, and it’s in your head or in your chest or abdomen, that’s a 911 emergency call,” he says.

There are currently medications on the market that have shown to be effective in some individuals, such as nerve-blocking injections. Additional practices can include physical therapy, local electrical stimulation treatments, prescription pain medications, acupuncture and in some cases surgery. And there are new treatment options on the horizon. 

The earlier you get started with treatment, the easier it is to treat. And the longer the pain is untreated the harder it can be to manage over time. “When pain lasts for weeks or months, the nervous system can become more sensitive, making the pain worse and more persistent,” stresses Barnes. Early intervention, she explains, can prevent pain from becoming chronic and decrease the chances of needing more aggressive treatments later. 

To catch your pain early, Barnes suggests making a point to tune into your body and note if anything feels off. “If your pain lasts more than a few weeks after an injury or illness then see your doctor right away before it becomes a daily problem and prevents you from doing the things you enjoy,” says Barnes. “Seeing a doctor earlier can make a big difference.” 

Managing pain at home

In addition to working with a physician, some lifestyle practices may help to ease your symptoms of pain.

Use hot and cold therapy: When it comes to pain, ice and heat may help. Teitelbaum recommends using a heating pad to quell aches and pains. “After it’s been on for about 20 minutes, stretch that muscle,” he says. 

Stay as active as you can: You might not feel like working out with pain but doing what you can to get moving can be beneficial. “Regular exercise, like walking, swimming, Pilates, or gentle stretching can strengthen muscles and release natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body,” says Barnes. 

Clean up your diet: “Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can reduce inflammation,” says Barnes. Teitelbaum also stresses the importance of cutting back on sugar and alcohol, which can make pain worse. It’s also beneficial to prioritize hydration and maintaining a healthy weight, says Barnes. 

Unwind: Managing stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or deep breathing can lower pain levels

Prioritize sleep: “Getting enough quality sleep is crucial, so try to keep a regular sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine,” says Barnes. 

Wear supportive footwear: Well-supported shoes, like tennis shoes and orthopedic footwear, as well as prioritizing walking with good posture and body positioning may help to mitigate pain like back pain. 

Give your mental health a little TLC: If chronic pain is impacting your mental health, seeking treatment can help. “Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is one of the most effective tools we use for pain,” says Dr. Greg Hobelmann, co-CEO and president of Ashley Addiction Treatment, a double board-certified anesthesiologist and addiction medicine specialist. CBT helps patients reframe how they think about pain and build strategies to manage it. Mindfulness practices and structured activity can also ease both the mental and physical burden of chronic pain.