However, what medication you use depends on factors such as how bad the pain is, how long it's been there ... They're also suitable for short-term use and are cheaper and easier to pick up ...

Options for treating it include applying a warm or cold compress, acupuncture, and medications ... pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain starts suddenly and lasts for up to 6 weeks. Chronic, or long ...

And each year, according to a recent Public Health England report, about five million are prescribed opioids - painkillers that can be as powerful as Class A drugs ... for long-term pain will ...

People with chronic pain are being ... "shocking" lack of long-term data, even though the pills are usually prescribed for many months. But patients are advised to stay on medication if it works ...