Use of Opioid Analgesics for the Treatment of Chronic Noncancer Pain ‐ A Consensus Statement and Guidelines from the Canadian Pain Society, 2002

2 Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is generally defined as pain lasting at least six months; or of a duration longer than the expected time to tissue healing or resolution of the underlying disease process; or due to a condition where there is ongoing nociception. CNCP is different from acute pain in both its presentation and pathophysiology. Progress in basic science research is gradually discovering the biochemical and structural mechanisms of peripheral and central sensitization that maintain chronic pain. It is, therefore, possible that more specific treatments will become available in the future.