Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of chronic pain?

Chronic pain is defined primarily by its persistence and the duration it lasts, usually extending beyond three to six months. A hallmark characteristic of chronic pain is that it can occur without an obvious physical cause or injury, making pain management and diagnosis particularly challenging.

The correct option indicates that an inflammatory response to stimuli is not a characteristic of chronic pain. While acute pain is often associated with inflammation — such as pain resulting from an injury that prompts a physical response — chronic pain does not necessarily exhibit this response. Instead, chronic pain may exist independently of any ongoing inflammatory process or may not be linked to visible changes at the site of pain.

Chronic pain can be complex, and while it may involve changes in how the nervous system processes pain (central sensitization), it does not inherently include an inflammatory response. As such, distinguishing between chronic and acute pain involves recognizing these characteristics clearly.