Understanding Chronic Pain New research from McGill University reveals that pain is shaped as much by our emotions, stress and social circumstances as by our biology. “Chronic pain is a deeply personal experience that is difficult to measure, because it’s based on selfreports,” says Dr. Étienne Vachon-Presseau, a pain researcher at McGill University. He explains that chronic pain, which affects 1 in 5 adults in Canada at some point in their lives, is not merely a symptom of injury or disease—it’s an intricate interplay of biology, psychology and social context. Dr. Étienne Vachon‑Presseau is an associate professor in the Faculties of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and Anesthesiology at McGill University, where he directs a lab affiliated with the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain. 22 | 2025 | Issue 6
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=