Chronic and Recurrent Pain

Abstract

Chronic and recurrent pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs for longer than 3 months. Chronic pain is common in childhood, impacting at least one in four youth. The etiology of chronic pain is best understood within a biopsychosocial framework, which emphasizes the intersection of biological processes, psychological factors, and social/environmental influences in both the onset and maintenance of chronic pain. Children and adolescents with chronic pain can experience disability of physical function, psychological distress, family conflict, and difficulties in school and social functioning. Given the degree of potential physical and psychosocial consequences, assessment and treatment of pediatric chronic pain typically involves an interprofessional team including physicians, psychologists, and physical/occupational therapists who specialize in pediatric pain medicine. In this chapter, we use a biopsychosocial framework to describe the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain in childhood. Implications for interprofessional care and future directions are also discussed.