Pain clinics.

This article addresses issues related to multimodal pain programs and unimodal treatments, particularly those that deal with persistent musculoskeletal pain. Factors including prevalence, morbidity, and prognosis are examined. The research evidence for physical therapy modalities, psychological treatments, and vocational and pharmacologic interventions is critically appraised. A clinical decision algorithm for persistent pain management until referral to a multimodal chronic pain program is presented.