Ann Intern Med. 1980 Oct; 93(4): 588-96.

The chronic pain syndrome: misconceptions and management.

Reuler JB, Girard DE, Nardone DA.

The management of chronic pain is a universal and vexing problem for physicians. Literature indicates that health care providers have a poor understanding of basic concepts relating to pain, which leads to frustration for the physician and inadequate relief for the patient. This paper addresses misconceptions about organic versus functional pain, discusses placebos and administration of narcotic analgesics, and outlines therapeutic alternatives. Emphasis is on distinguishing chronic pain of benign origin from that secondary to malignancy as an individual treatment plan is formulated.