Pain is defined as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage".

• Chronic pain is defined as pain that has lasted more than 3 months.
• 13% of UK population has chronic pain
• 24% patients have associated depression
• 25% lose their their jobs due to inability to work
• Cost to national economy is more than £10 billion
• 22% of all GP consultations are for chronic pain issues

Persistent pain often serves no useful purpose. The messages from the warning system linked to long-term conditions like arthritis or back pain are not needed - just annoying. Over time, it may affect what we can do, our ability to work, our sleep patterns. It can have a strong negative effect on our family and friends too. (British Pain Society)
Dr Doger believes that patients must be able to explain their situation to the healthcare professional who in their turn must try to understand and help the patient.