Pain Research / 28.01.2026
The Latest Evidence on Chronic Pain: What Clinicians Need to Know in 2026
[caption id="attachment_72150" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Photo by Kindel Media[/caption]
Improving outcomes for patients living with chronic pain starts with an understanding of the latest research. Historically, chronic pain was treated with procedures and medication that dealt with the symptoms of pain, believed to stem from tissue or nerve damage.
Recent studies show that chronic pain is complex and requires a much deeper knowledge and empathy for your patients, even when there is no clear evidence of damage. This is due to understanding discomfort as centralized pain, where the brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive to pain signals.
Chronic pain requires whole-person care that uses shared therapies for coping skills, emotional regulation, lifestyle adjustments, and minimally invasive treatments. This article reviews the latest evidence on chronic pain to support a more informed outlook toward your patients.
Photo by Kindel Media[/caption]
Improving outcomes for patients living with chronic pain starts with an understanding of the latest research. Historically, chronic pain was treated with procedures and medication that dealt with the symptoms of pain, believed to stem from tissue or nerve damage.
Recent studies show that chronic pain is complex and requires a much deeper knowledge and empathy for your patients, even when there is no clear evidence of damage. This is due to understanding discomfort as centralized pain, where the brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive to pain signals.
Chronic pain requires whole-person care that uses shared therapies for coping skills, emotional regulation, lifestyle adjustments, and minimally invasive treatments. This article reviews the latest evidence on chronic pain to support a more informed outlook toward your patients.
Chiropractic care offers a minimally invasive solution to musculoskeletal issues. Back, neck, and joint pain are some reasons people turn to chiropractic care. Through the alignment of the spinal column, the care promotes overall health. Repeating the treatments increase the function in the body and reduce the use of medication.
Beyond pain reduction, chiropractic care also ensures overall health by aiding nervous function. A well-aligned spinal column provides good communication between the body and the brain. A misaligned spinal column, in contrast, squishes the nervous tissues, resulting in discomfort and less function. Through the maintenance in spinal health, most people feel improved rest, improved digestive function, and improved energy.
One of the most powerful chiropractic treatments lies in the body's ability to heal from illness if only given the support necessary. Rather than simply masking the symptom through medication, this integrated approach targets the root cause of the discomfort. Patients typically suffer from less frequent and less painful episodes if proper care is administered. This makes the operation appealing to individuals who desire long-term remedy and who want to eliminate surgical intervention.
Dr. Cheryl Krause-Parello[/caption]
Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, PhD, RN, FAAN
