Evidence based rehabilitation in chronic pain syndromes

Abstract

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a complex condition that presents a major challenge to physicians because of its unknown etiology, and poor response to all kinds of therapies. It has been suggested that chronicity should be considered when pain persists longer than the acceptable healing time. The impact of chronic pain on patients' lives varies from minor limitations to complete loss of independence. The rehabilitation of chronic pain syndromes is multi- disciplinary and involves physical therapy, occupational therapy, manual therapy, aquatherapy, cognitive/behavioral therapy, biofeedback, psychotherapy and some new therapies. In recent years, point of view in chronic pain management changed substantially chronic pain syndrome is managed best with a multidisciplinary approach, including rehabilitative process. Treatment protocol should be planned and modified individually. Combination of several methods has been tried, but, long term evidence-based studies are needed for new treatment modalities.