Chronic pain is a condition that causes widespread, constant pain and distress and fills both sufferers and the healthcare professionals who treat them with dread. There is often no clear cause, and treatment and traditional pain management efforts are often less than successful. This can cause great distress and a sense of hopelessness. “When pain is no longer useful as a symptom, identity is challenged, weakened and at risk for both chronic pain patients and pain professionals.” (Eccleston et al., 1997, p. 699) Recent research and a shift toward a more comprehensive pain management approach, however, bring hope. By combining traditional and psychosocial interventions, practitioners are now able to help their clients better navigate their experience of chronic pain. Find out more about the latest evidence-based research below. Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.