Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment. Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation, but sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation.
Chronic pain can also affect people living with other long-term conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel and back pain. It is estimated that one in five people in Scotland are affected by chronic pain and the Scottish Government is working with NHS Scotland to ensure everyone living with the condition is able to access care and support.
Financial support is also available through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for people of working age and Attendance Allowance for those who have reached State Pension age, to help cover extra daily living or mobility costs.
