Pain is the most common reason people go to a doctor, accounting for 49 million medical visits each year in the United States. Chronic pain is persistent pain sometimes defined as lasting more than 6 months and often lasting for years.

Pain has both a physical and emotional dimension. Pain may cause feelings such as anger and depression. Living with pain day after day often causes despair and hopelessness. It impacts the person's ability to work, their self-esteem, their relationships, and their social and recreational life.

Emotions and feelings may also cause pain or exacerbate a painful condition. Depression is frequently associated with pain and chronic stress can cause physical problems and pain or contribute to increased perception of pain.

Perhaps the most important goal I have when working with chronic pain clients is to help them keep hope alive. Strategies I use include education, teaching coping skills and pain management techniques, and identifying factors that increase the perception of pain so that changes can be made. I work with the individual to find ways to reduce stress, and to identify emotions that may be increasing the perception of pain.