Pain Management
Chronic pain can make everyday life more difficult. Our pain management experts understand these challenges and compassionately deliver advanced treatments to help you overcome them.
Medically reviewed by David Copenhaver, M.D. and Ravi Prasad, M.D. on Nov. 02, 2024.
Chronic Pain Relief
Chronic pain affects your physical and emotional well-being. At UC Davis Health, the experienced experts in our Division of Pain Medicine offer the latest treatments to address all aspects of life impacted by pain to restore balance in your life.
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Our Difference
Dedicated Team of Pain Experts
When you come to our Pain Management Center, you receive care from a team of experts who work closely together to manage all aspects of your condition. We coordinate effective pain relief that helps restore your ability to live, work and play.
Leading-Edge Approach to Managing Pain
The UC Davis Health Center for Advancing Pain Relief (CAPR) is a first-of-its-kind center for education, research, clinical care and policy. Our experts constantly work to transform chronic pain management, so you receive the best possible treatment.
Full Range of Specialized Treatments
We offer the latest treatments for all types of chronic pain. Our approach to care includes advanced treatments, behavioral medicine, physical therapy, and medication. Whether you have chronic pain from injury, cancer, osteoarthritis or other conditions, we're here to help.
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Consumer Resource Center
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is any type of pain that lasts for three months or longer, regardless of the cause. It's different from acute pain, which occurs after an injury and eases after you heal.
Long-term pain can affect your overall health, emotional well-being, quality of life and ability to be active. Because it varies from person-to-person, it’s important to see pain management specialists who know how to treat your unique symptoms.
About Chronic Pain
Types of Chronic Pain
There are many different types of pain. Your pain symptoms may vary depending on the condition. Chronic pain may affect any part of your body.
Chronic Pain Symptoms
People experience chronic pain differently. You may have dull aches, sharp stabbing pains or burning and tingling sensations. The pain may be constant or intermittent (come and go).
Chronic Pain Management
It isn’t always possible to find complete relief from chronic pain. We work with you to identify treatments that ease symptoms so you can enjoy life.
Causes of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain occurs as a symptom of many different conditions, injuries and treatments. Sometimes, chronic pain occurs for no known reason.
Common causes of pain include:
Medical Treatments
Certain treatments, especially those for cancers, can lead to the development of chronic pain.
Risk Factors for Chronic Pain
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing chronic pain.
Age
You’re more likely to experience chronic joint, back and nerve pain as you get older.
Biological Sex
Chronic pain tends to be more prevalent in women. For example, women are more likely than men to experience conditions such as migraine.
Excess Weight
An unhealthy weight or obesity can put pressure on your bones and joints, causing chronic pain or worsening underlying conditions.
Genetics
Some chronic pain conditions like migraine are passed down in families (inherited).
Mental Health
Depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health issues can contribute to chronic pain conditions and make symptoms worse.
Smoking
People who smoke are at higher risk for chronic back pain, headache and nerve pain.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of movement can lead to weakening of muscles, weight gain, and general deconditioning, all of which worsen pain.
Body Mechanics
Lifting heavy items, being on your feet all day and performing certain types of manual labor can lead to muscle, joint and back pain.
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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