Management of chronic pain is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach involving physiological, psychological, sociological and pharmacological interventions. Pharmacological treatment remains a cornerstone in pain management in general and a key element is to find the balance between effective treatment and acceptable side effects. It has been demonstrated that patients within one pain entity have different sensory signs and symptoms, but they may still receive the same medical treatment. Without evidence-based and validated strategies treatment often becomes a "trial and error approach" and although some treatment regimens provide relief in pain intensity, that relief may only be significant for a minority of patients. New concepts suggest that patient stratification according to pain mechanisms and pharmacogenetics could pave the way to an individualized pain treatment. Nevertheless, implementation of such factors that contribute to optimization of individualized pain treatment in the daily clinical setting is still needed. Therefore, the present topic "Mechanism of Chronic pain and Individualized Medicine" will contribute to broaden knowledge within this field.
Management of chronic pain is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach involving physiological, psychological, sociological and pharmacological interventions. Pharmacological treatment remains a cornerstone in pain management in general and a key element is to find the balance between effective treatment and acceptable side effects. It has been demonstrated that patients within one pain entity have different sensory signs and symptoms, but they may still receive the same medical treatment. Without evidence-based and validated strategies treatment often becomes a "trial and error approach" and although some treatment regimens provide relief in pain intensity, that relief may only be significant for a minority of patients. New concepts suggest that patient stratification according to pain mechanisms and pharmacogenetics could pave the way to an individualized pain treatment. Nevertheless, implementation of such factors that contribute to optimization of individualized pain treatment in the daily clinical setting is still needed. Therefore, the present topic "Mechanism of Chronic pain and Individualized Medicine" will contribute to broaden knowledge within this field.
