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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Chronic

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/ˈkrɑːnɪk/adjectiveCore term

In physiotherapy, chronic means: Describes a condition or pain that has lasted a long time, usually more than three months, or that keeps coming back.

In Turkish: kronik

How it is used

Physiotherapists talk about chronic pain, chronic conditions and chronic low back pain. Chronic does not mean severe; it refers to how long the problem has lasted. Treatment of chronic pain usually focuses on activity, pacing and understanding pain rather than on finding one damaged structure.

Example sentences

  1. She has had chronic neck pain for over two years.

  2. Our chronic pain group meets once a week for exercise and education.

Common collocations

  • chronic pain
  • chronic condition
  • chronic low back pain
  • chronic pain management
  • acuteDescribes a problem that started recently and suddenly, such as a new injury or a sudden attack of pain.
  • pace yourselfTo spread activity out over time and take breaks before you get too tired or sore, instead of doing too much at once.
  • flare-upA period when the symptoms of a long-term condition, especially pain, suddenly get worse for a while.
  • low back painPain felt in the lower part of the back, between the bottom of the ribs and the buttocks, sometimes spreading into the leg.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.