Chronic low back pain is defined as pain in the lower back that lasts more than three months, often without a clear or serious medical cause. Low back pain can begin for many reasons, including muscle strain, joint or disc problems, or sometimes without a known trigger. Even when there is no underlying disease, the pain is very real and can persist, affecting your ability to work, take care of your family, and enjoy daily life. Chronic pain doesn’t only affect the body—it can also impact your mood, sleep, and overall well-being. It often involves a complex mix of physical, emotional, and social factors, and it’s important to know that the pain is real, and involves a mix of physical, emotional, social and spiritual factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a holistic, personcentred approach to managing chronic low back pain. This includes considering your unique needs and tailoring care accordingly. A combination of movement, education, and psychological or social support is often more helpful than relying on a single treatment.

Chronic pelvic pain can have multiple causes. Sometimes, it develops after surgery, infections, childbirth, or trauma. Other times, it may arise without a clear medical explanation. Conditions like endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, bladder pain syndrome, or past injuries can contribute—but in many cases, pain continues even after those causes are treated. 

The experience of chronic pelvic pain is real and valid, even when imaging or lab results appear normal. Like other forms of chronic pain, CPP is shaped by a combination of physical, emotional, and social factors. Stress, anxiety, trauma, and nervous system sensitization can all play a role in how pain is felt and managed. 

Effective care often involves a team-based approach—addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional and psychological aspects. Pelvic physiotherapy, counselling, medication, exercise rehabilitation, mindfulness, and education may all form part of a personalized treatment plan. 

The goal isn’t just to reduce pain—it’s to support your quality of life, rebuild confidence in your body, and help you return to the things that matter most.

Experiencing pain after surgery is normal and is often due to inflammation in the part of the body where surgery occurred. ​This type of pain is called acute post-surgical pain and is short-term, generally less than three months.​ However, 5-10% of patients who undergo major surgery develop chronic post-surgical pain, which is pain that persists past the normal healing process (generally longer than three months).   

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a long-lasting pain condition that usually develops in a single limb (arm or leg) following a serious injury, surgery, or even something minor like a sprain. It affects an estimated 7 million people worldwide and the debilitating pain is often stronger than expected and may feel burning, throbbing, or overly sensitive to touch.  

CRPS is still not fully understood, but this rare condition is believed to happen when the nervous system malfunctions after an injury, causing the body’s pain signals and inflammation to become overly active and out of balance.

Fibromyalgia is a lifelong condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. The pain may vary with time, move around the body, or change in intensity.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that changes the shape of red blood cells. Instead of being soft and round like healthy cells—which allows them to travel smoothly through blood vessels and carry oxygen—these cells become stiff and crescent-shaped when oxygen levels drop. This happens because a protein inside the cells, called hemoglobin S, clumps together and forms rigid structures. The misshapen cells can block small blood vessels, slowing or stopping blood flow and limiting oxygen delivery to tissues. As a result, people with sickle cell disease may experience episodes of pain, fatigue, and organ damage.

Most episodes of pain can’t be predicted. But sometimes, pain may be triggered by things like infections, dehydration, cold or windy weather, or traveling to places at high altitudes.

Sickle cell disease is more common in people of African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern backgrounds.

Blood transfusions may be used to treat anemia and reduce stroke risk. Pain crises are managed with medications, including pain medicines, hydration, and supportive therapies (e.g., heat, rest). If chronic pain develops, different medications can be used along with physical and psychological therapies. Regular check-ups, hydration, nutrition, and sleep are all important components of sickle cell disease management.