HealthInfo Canterbury
Persistent pain in children & teens
Persistent pain (chronic pain) can affect people of all ages, including children and teenagers.
Just as with adults, pain can affect all areas of a young person's life, including home, sports, school, friendships, and family and whānau relationships. Their pain might be continuous, or it might come and go, but it's still called chronic or persistent pain if it has been present for three months or more.
A team approach is usually needed to help a young person with pain. This team may involve several different health professionals, as well as the family and whānau. It can also help for the young person's school, and any other services they use, to be involved.
With the right support and treatment the future for young people living with persistent pain can look much brighter.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Kids Health – Chronic or persistent pain
A summary of the difference between acute and chronic pain, how chronic pain can affect young people, and how it's treated. It includes a video, books and apps that can help, and links to other resources.
- Pain Management Network – PainBytes
This series of videos is aimed specifically at young people, explaining what pain is, how we feel it, how it can affect us, and how we can overcome it.
Written by senior clinical psychologist, Burwood Pain Management Centre. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created June 2017.
See also:
Review key: HICHP-79018
