Almost every fourth adult in Sweden lives with some form of long-term or chronic pain. Despite this, many people suffer from pain for years before they get the right help. Chronic pain is more than a physical symptom – it affects sleep, mood, relationships and quality of life. The good news? With the right assessment and treatment, you can regain control over your everyday life.
In this article, we go through what chronic pain is, what the causes can be, what treatments are available - and above all: when it's time to seek help from a specialist.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain, or long-term pain, is pain that has lasted for more than three months. What makes it different from ordinary pain is that the pain often remains even after the original cause – such as an injury or surgery – has healed.
Unlike acute pain, which is the body's warning signal, chronic pain has no clear function. It has somehow "stuck" in the nervous system. It also means that the treatment looks different: just tablets are rarely enough.
Acute vs. chronic pain - what's the difference?
| Acute pain | Chronic Pain |
|---|---|
| Lasts days to weeks | Lasts more than 3 months |
| Apparent cause (injury, infection) | The cause can be difficult to find |
| Disappears as the tissue heals | Remains even after healing |
| Tablets are often sufficient | Often requires comprehensive treatment |
Most common causes of chronic pain
There are many different reasons why a pain becomes long-lasting. With us, we see these most often:
Osteoarthritis and joint wear and tear
Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain - especially in people over 50. The cartilage in the knee, hip or fingers wears down over time and the joint becomes stiff and painful. Osteoarthritis cannot be "cured" but can definitely be alleviated with the right treatment.
Back and neck pain
Problems with discs, muscles or facet joints in the back are one of the most common causes of long-term pain. Sciatica – where the pain radiates down the leg – is a classic example.
Nerve pain (neuropathic pain)
When nerve fibers are irritated or damaged, they can send false pain signals. Typical symptoms are burning sensation, tingling or numbness. Diabetes, herniated disc and some infections can cause nerve pain. This type of pain often requires evaluation by both a pain physician and neurologist.
Pain after surgery or injury
Sometimes the tissue heals without problems, but the pain is still there. It is common after, for example, knee or back surgery, as well as after prolonged sports injuries.
Fibromyalgia and generalized pain
Pain in several parts of the body, often combined with fatigue and sleep problems. The cause is not fully understood, but the central nervous system plays a major role.
Inflammatory diseases
Rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can cause chronic joint pain and require specialist assessment.
Symptoms - how to recognize chronic pain
Chronic pain manifests itself in different ways. Do you recognize yourself in any of this?
- Pain that has been present for more than 3 months
- Pain that varies in strength during the day
- Morning stiffness in joints or back
- Pain that disrupts your sleep
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
- Numbness, tingling or burning sensation
- Pain that radiates in arm or leg
- Limited mobility in everyday life
- Depression or anxiety linked to the pain
It is not uncommon for chronic pain to also affect mood and sleep. It is part of the disease picture - not a sign of "mental weakness".
When should you seek help?
Many wait too long. Unfortunately, the pain often becomes more difficult to treat the longer it has been allowed to sit. You should seek specialist care if:
- The pain has been present for more than three months
- It affects your work or your everyday life
- Usual painkillers are no longer enough
- The pain gets worse instead of better
- You have numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
- You don't sleep because of pain
- Your health center has not succeeded in progressing in the investigation
Why a specialist? A pain doctor or orthopedist has completely different tools than a general practitioner at the health center - both in investigation and in treatment. The sooner you get it right, the greater the chance that we can turn the tide.
Treatment - a specialist will help you
Modern pain management is not just about prescribing pills. We work with an overall assessment.
Medical investigation
Everything starts with a thorough medical consultation, clinical examination and, if necessary, X-rays, MRI or blood tests. The goal is to find the cause – not just relieve the symptom.
Drug treatment – right medicine, right dose
There are many different types of pain-relieving drugs available today. A specialist can help you find the best combination – often with lower doses and fewer side effects than you might expect. Modern pain treatments aim to avoid strong opioids whenever possible.
Injection treatments (blockades)
For certain types of pain – especially joint pain and nerve pain – injections with cortisone or local anesthetic can provide quick and effective relief. The treatment often only takes a few minutes and can last for several months.
Physiotherapy and movement training
Movement is medicine. An individual rehab program – often in collaboration with a physiotherapist – is one of the most effective long-term treatments.
Multimodal treatment
We see the best results when we combine several treatments. At the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal, doctors, nurses, dieticians and rehabilitation staff work together under the same roof - precisely because chronic pain rarely has a single solution.
Read more about our Pain & Orthopedics practice.
Living with chronic pain - practical advice
While we work on your investigation and treatment, there are also things you can do yourself that make a big difference:
- Move every day, even if it's just 10-15 minutes. Sitting makes almost all pain worse.
- Prioritize sleep. Poor sleep directly increases pain sensitivity.
- Avoid sitting still for too long – change positions regularly.
- Eat nutritiously. Chronic inflammation does well with a Mediterranean diet, omega-3 and less sugar.
- Talk about it. Isolation worsens both pain and depression.
- Learn relaxation techniques. Stress makes the body tense up - and increases pain.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
When is pain considered chronic?
Pain that has lasted for more than three months is considered chronic or long-term.
Can chronic pain be cured?
It depends on the cause. Some conditions can be completely cured, others cannot - but almost all chronic pain can be relieved significantly with the right treatment. The goal is to give you back a functioning life.
Do I need a referral to see a pain doctor?
No. At the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal, you book an appointment directly, without a referral from a health centre.
How long is the waiting time?
We can usually offer an appointment within a few days. In case of urgent problems, we try to solve it even faster.
How much does a visit cost?
The price depends on the type of visit and examination. Contact us and you will receive a clear message before you book - completely without obligation.
Which treatments have the best effect for chronic pain?
It depends on the cause. For joint pain, injections and movement often work very well. For nerve pain, specific drugs are usually required. The best treatment is the one that is tailored to you.
Can I get help even if I already go to a health center?
Yes. Many patients seek us as a secondary assessment when the investigation at the health center has not progressed.
What is the difference between chronic pain and fibromyalgia?
Chronic pain is an umbrella term for all pain that has lasted more than 3 months. Fibromyalgia is a specific diagnosis within this category, with widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive problems as central symptoms.
Can chronic pain affect mental well-being?
Yes, strongly. Anxiety and low mood are very common in people with chronic pain – both as an effect of the pain and as a factor that makes it worse. Modern multimodal treatment takes both into account.
You shouldn't have to get used to being in pain
Meet a specialist in pain and orthopedics at the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal - without a referral and with a short waiting time. We help you find the cause and create a treatment plan that actually works.
📞 +46 (0) 10-147 77 40 ✉️ [email protected]
Book an appointment - contact us → Read more about our Pain & Orthopedics clinic → Private neurologist → Private general practitioner → Read about fibromyalgia → Read about nerve pain → Read about stress → Read about sleep problems → Read about burnout → Read about anxiety → Read about pain & pain management → Read about back pain → Read about body aches for no reason →
