Understanding Moderate to Severe Chronic Pain

Though the magnitude of the problem is clear, many people are unfamiliar with the underlying drivers of chronic pain. Research has shown that several biochemical mediators, including prostaglandins, cytokines (TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6), chemokines (CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL5), growth factors (NGF, BDNF), and neuropeptides (substance P, CGRP) play a key role in the pain pathway and in making chronic pain chronic.1-3

CCL2=C-C motif chemokine ligand 2; CGRP=calcitonin gene-related peptide; CV=cardiovascular; CXCL=C-X-C motif chemokine ligand; IL=interleukin; TNF=tumor necrosis factor.