Pain in patient groups frequently treated by physiatrists.

This article highlights the significant prevalence and impact of pain in persons who have disabilities and points to the need for additional research in this area. Theory-driven research examining biopsychosocial models of and treatments for chronic pain are the important next steps in this area. The extensive literature on persons in whom pain is the primary disability provides a useful basis for such research. Pain may be one of several problems facing rehabilitation professionals in their care of persons with disabilities. Nonetheless, given the suffering associated with it, pain warrants careful assessment and, as indicated, intervention.