Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects millions of patients worldwide and represents a substantial burden to society as a whole. In the UK, chronic pain is the third most common reason for a patient to visit a general practitioner. Poorly controlled pain not only affects patients, it also impinges on the quality of life of carers and can potentially lead to social isolation and family breakdown. In recent years there have been significant advances in the management of chronic pain, including the introduction of new therapeutic options and an improved understanding of the optimal use of older drugs. Nonetheless, there are several issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the efficacy of treatment, whilst ensuring the risk of adverse effects is kept to a minimum. Part of the Oxford Pain Management Library, this book succinctly describes the options available for the management of chronic pain, including pharmacological therapies, anaesthetic techniques and complementary approaches.