The term chronic pain is used to describe pain of long duration (three months or longer ), regardless of associated symptoms or cause. The pain may be present constantly, or may come and go over a long period. Flare-ups when the pain is more severe than normal may occur periodically, and are often unpredictable.

Back pain is the most common form of chronic pain, but other parts of the body that are often affected include the head (e.g. headache or migraine), face, legs and neck.  

Chronic pain is often accompanied by fatigue, stress, tension and depression. Depending on the severity and type of pain involved, it may also impact on the sufferer’s appetite, body weight, sleeping patterns, daily activities, work, relationships and libido.

The long-term use of pain-relieving medications may leave sufferers at risk of adverse effects, and may limit their ability to develop coping skills that empower them to adjust to the pain. In addition, some painkillers become less effective when used over long periods of time.

Common causes of chronic pain include arthritis, back problems, injury, surgery, osteoporosis, and disease states such as cancer or the complications of diabetes (e.g. diabetic neuropathy). Work-related injuries may be responsible for as many as 20% of cases of chronic pain.

In some patients, no cause can be found, despite extensive medical investigation. In other cases, an underlying cause may be identified and rectified, but the pain persists regardless.

• Devil’s claw is traditionally used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and may provide temporary relief of symptoms of muscle tension, stiffness and decreased mobility associated with musculoskeletal complaints. Devil’s claw may also aid the management of arthritis pain by helping to reduce the intake of some pain relief medications, and may help to improve spine mobility and flexibility in people with chronic back problems.
• Magnesium may be useful in times of stress and is important for healthy bone strength and bone mineral density. It also helps all the muscles of the body to function optimally and to contract in a normal, healthy way. Taking a magnesium supplement may help prevent muscular cramps and spasms. It is often taken with other nutrients that are also involved in the maintenance and repair of muscle tissue, such as folic acid and vitamins C and B12.
• Herbs that have traditionally been used to promote restful sleep include passionflower, hops and lemon balm, a combination that may be particularly beneficial when mental tension and irritability are contributing to insomnia. 
• Glucosamine helps reduce cartilage wear and slows the progressive deterioration of the joints. It may be beneficial for pain associated with osteoarthritis, as it has been shown to slow the progression of joint damage, decrease joint stiffness, and improve joint mobility and function. It reduces symptoms of pain, swelling and joint inflammation, and has been shown to be as effective as some pain-relieving medications for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis symptoms.
• The omega-3 fatty acids, have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the pain, swelling and joint stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis while supporting optimal joint mobility. They may also be beneficial for other inflammatory conditions.