What is chronic pain?
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as, “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.” Chronic pain can be described as persistent pain for greater than 3-6 months.
Almost 1.5 billion people globally suffer from chronic pain. That is 1 out of every 5 people on Earth.
In the US, 19.6 million people suffer from chronic pain that frequently limits their life or work.
Most common forms of chronic Pain
Musculoskeletal Pain
- Chronic low back pain
- Chronic neck pain
- Arthritis pain
Neuropathic Pain
- Numbness
- Feelings of pins and needles
- Stabbing pain
Functional Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic migraine
- Chronic pelvic pain
Other type of chronic pain
- Chronic pain after surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Pain associated with cancer
Long term consequences of chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Impaired memory
- Impaired sleep
- Decrease in overall quality of life
Problems with the way we treat pain
Treating chronic pain with opioids is problematic. While they are useful for treating acute pain, there is little evidence that they are effective for chronic pain management. Additionally, prolonged opioid use can lead to tolerance, dependency, and even increased pain.
The lack of an alternative therapeutic for chronic pain, along with over prescription of opioids, led to the current opioid crisis. In 2018 it was estimated that over 130 people died everyday due to opioid related drug overdoses.
Our goal to treat chronic pain
Using molecular profiling of human tissues, along with preclinical techniques, we strive to discover the underlying mechanisms of pain. Our diverse team of scientists are focused on discovering novel targets for the treatment of chronic pain. Through innovations in basic science research, our goal is to develop new therapeutics and create partnerships that bring those discoveries into the clinic.