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Pain lasting more than 3 months

Also called: Chronic pain, long-term pain, persistent pain

Pain that lasts more than 3 months is called chronic pain. It's common and can come from arthritis, back problems, nerve damage, headaches, or fibromyalgia, or continue after an injury has healed. It often affects sleep, mood, and daily life. A mix of treatments, including movement, therapy, and medicines, usually works best.

Common causesBack pain, arthritis, nerve pain, headaches, fibromyalgia
Usually serious?Usually not life-threatening, but affects quality of life
Get checked ifIt limits your life, or there are new warning signs
If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Thinking about suicide? Call or text 988.

Overview

Short-term (acute) pain is a warning signal that usually fades as the body heals. Chronic pain lasts longer than 3 months, and the nervous system can stay sensitive even after healing.

Chronic pain often goes with poor sleep, tiredness, depression, anxiety, and less activity, which can make pain worse. Treatment aims to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life.

When to get medical care

Call 911Thoughts of harming yourself; call 911 or call or text 988. New severe pain with weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Get care todayPain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer. A sudden change or severe new pain.
See a doctor soonPain that lasts more than 3 months. Pain that limits work, sleep, or daily activities. Needing more pain medicine. Low mood or anxiety with pain.

Causes

Common causes include low back and neck problems, arthritis, nerve pain (diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, shingles), migraine and other headaches, fibromyalgia, past injuries or surgery, endometriosis and pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.

OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause pain lasting more than 3 months. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

  • Living with chronic painSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    Pain that lasts more than 3 months.

  • Nerve pain and phantom limb painSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    Burning, shooting, stabbing, or electric pain caused by damaged nerves, from diabetes, shingles, injury, surgery, stroke, or spinal cord injury.

What you can do at home

  • Stay active with gentle exercise like walking, swimming, or stretching.
  • Pace yourself: break tasks into smaller pieces.
  • Get regular sleep.
  • Use heat, ice, or massage.
  • Try relaxation, mindfulness, or yoga.
  • Stay connected with friends and activities you enjoy.

Medicines

Options include acetaminophen, NSAIDs, some antidepressants and seizure medicines for nerve pain, topical creams, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, injections, and other procedures. Opioids are rarely a good long-term choice.

At the doctor

The provider will look for the cause and how pain affects your life.

Questions you may be asked

  • Where the pain is and how long you've had it
  • What makes it better or worse
  • Sleep, mood, and activity
  • Treatments you've tried
  • Warning signs like weight loss or fever

The exam

A physical and nerve exam.

Tests

  • Tests depend on the cause: X-rays, MRI, or blood tests
  • Questionnaires about pain and mood

Prevention

You can lower the impact of pain.

  • Stay active
  • Treat injuries early
  • Manage stress
  • Keep a healthy weight

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.