What are the risk factors for chronic pain?

What are the risk factors for chronic pain?

Since many conditions or injuries can cause chronic pain, there are several risk factors for experiencing it. Some risk factors include:

• Your genetics: Some chronic pain causes, like migraines, run in the family (are genetic).
• Having obesity: Having obesity can worsen certain health conditions that cause pain, such as arthritis since there’s extra pressure on your joints.
• Your age: Older people are more likely to experience chronic pain from arthritis and neuropathy.
• Having a previous injury: If you’ve had a traumatic injury, you’re more likely to develop chronic pain in the future.
• Having a labor-intensive job: If you have a physically strenuous job, you’re at greater risk for developing chronic pain.
• Experiencing stress: Studies have shown that chronic pain is connected to both frequent stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Smoking: If you smoke, you’re at greater risk for developing medical conditions that lead to a need for chronic pain treatment.