The Impact of Chronic Pain on Life and Work

This article addresses the subject of chronic pain, and how it can affect function through its bidirectional impact on the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. It is through this action and reaction that every aspect of the human organism’s ability to interact with the world affects activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and work, i.e., the functional and vocational impact of chronic pain. Chronic pain can become a disease in itself, independent of the injury site. When called upon in a forensic setting, practitioners in life care planning and vocational rehabilitation practice are often asked to educate the jury how different forms and levels of chronic pain can affect a variety of aspects of a person’s life such as physical, mental, coordination, and performance. Chronic pain can affect the ability to function at a competitive job level in any of these spheres.