About chronic pain
On this page
- Causes of chronic pain
- Managing chronic pain
- Living with chronic pain
- Risks associated with opioid use for pain management
- What Canada is doing about chronic pain
Causes of chronic pain
Everyone experiences pain differently. Our thoughts, feelings and what is going on in our lives can impact how we experience pain.
For some people, pain has a known cause such as an injury, illness or surgery.
For others, the cause of pain is unknown.
Chronic pain is when pain lasts longer than 3 months. Sometimes, this happens because the brain misreads normal signs as danger, and sends pain signals to protect you, even when they aren't needed.
There are 2 types of chronic pain: primary and secondary. Chronic primary pain occurs when:
- pain continues after the body has completely healed
- the pain has no identifiable cause
Chronic secondary pain occurs together with underlying diseases or health issues, such as:
- arthritis
- cancer
- headache
- fibromyalgia
- post-surgical pain
- pain in the face, mouth and jaw
- pain in the bones, joints and muscles
The World Health Organization recognizes chronic pain as a disease in its own right and not just a symptom of something else.
Managing chronic pain
Talk to your health care provider to find the best way to manage your pain and decide if you need a pain management plan.
Pain management plans can involve:
- medication
- medical devices
- physical therapy
- psychological and social support
- pain management procedures
- self-management strategies and tools
Goals of pain management plans may include reducing pain to get you back to work, school or other things you care about and improving:
- cognitive health
- physical function
- mental health and well-being
Learn more:
Living with chronic pain
Nearly 8 million, or 20% of people in Canada live with chronic pain. It can impact many parts of a person's life, such as:
- taking part in everyday activities
- going to school
- going to work, finances and job security
- mental and emotional health
- physical health
- caregiving for loved ones
- sense of self and spirituality
- social life
Since chronic pain can be invisible, some people may not understand it or even believe it's real. This can lead to stigma, a lack of support, and trouble accessing health services.
Risks associated with opioid use for pain management
Opioids are medications that can be prescribed to manage pain. While they can have benefits, they also have risks, with sometimes potentially serious side effects. These can include overdose and substance use disorder (also known as "addiction").
Unmanaged pain is one of many complex factors contributing to the drug crisis.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about managing chronic pain with opioids and to decide if they're right for you.
Learn more:
- Talking to your health care provider about opioids
- Health Canada's Statement on Opioids and Pain Management (November 2022)
What Canada is doing about chronic pain
In 2019, Health Canada established the Canadian Pain Task Force to advise on how to prevent and manage chronic pain. The task force delivered 3 reports over 3 years. The final report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada, made over 150 recommendations, so that:
- people with pain are recognized and supported
- we can effectively understand, prevent and treat pain throughout Canada
- Canada can better meet the needs of people living with chronic pain in the future
The task force ended in December 2021. Since then, the federal government has made targeted investments to address their recommendations.
See the progress we're making towards these goals.
In February 2023, Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research hosted a Best Brains Exchange. This exchange focused on treating chronic pain alongside mental health and substance use conditions.
Read the Best Brains Exchange report.
Learn more:
Contact us
Chronic Pain Policy Team
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Health Canada
Postal Locator: 0301A
Ottawa, ON
Canada