Pain and Inflammation Treatment

Chronic pain is quite common in Australia, particularly among individuals aged 45 and over. Approximately one in five Australians in this age group (19%, or 1.6 million people) reported having chronic pain in 2016. The prevalence of chronic pain tends to increase with age, affecting almost one in four adults aged 85 and over.

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person's life. It can make it difficult to carry out daily activities, including work, school, social engagements, and physical tasks such as household chores and exercising. People with chronic pain often experience challenges with sleeping and may be at a higher risk of falling, deteriorating mobility, and disability, particularly among older adults.

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing chronic pain. These include being female, increasing age, genetic predisposition, and environmental influences such as socioeconomic disadvantage. Additionally, certain behavioral risk factors have been associated with chronic pain, such as physical inactivity, smoking, and being overweight or obese.

Several long-term health conditions are often associated with chronic pain. These conditions include musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis and back pain, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, stroke, bowel disease, and mental health disorders. There can be a two-way relationship between chronic pain and mental health, where chronic pain can lead to psychological distress, and psychological symptoms may increase the risk of chronic pain.