Predicting, Preventing and Alleviating Pain
Stanford Division of Pain Medicine is a national leader in treating pain, spearheading research, and educating future pain specialists
Each year, we care for more than 35,000 people with acute and chronic pain — in the hospital, after surgery, and in outpatient clinics. Our Acute Pain Service and Stanford Coordinated Inpatient Pain Program (SCIPP) team provide expert inpatient care, while our outpatient clinicians help people manage long-standing pain conditions. Our team is made up of physicians, psychologists, nurses, researchers, and educators who are all working to reduce suffering and improve quality of life.
Our research spans every stage of care, from managing pain after injury or surgery to helping people with complex, long-lasting pain conditions. We study new treatments, technologies, and ways to better support patients and families.
We’re also committed to training the next generation of leaders in pain medicine. Through our fellowships, medical education programs, and mentoring, we prepare clinicians and scientists to deliver expert care, ask important research questions, and bring compassion to every patient they serve.
World-Class Pain Care
The Stanford Pain Management Center provides comprehensive care for people living with both short-term and long-term pain. We don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we combine medical, physical, and behavioral treatments to support your whole self—your body, your mind, and your daily life. Our goal is to reduce pain, help you function more independently, and improve your overall quality of life.
Research That Moves the Field Forward
We offer fellowships and educational programs for physicians, psychologists, nurses, and physical therapists. As leaders in pain medicine, we draw on Silicon Valley’s spirit of innovation to advance research and clinical practice. Fellows learn the medical, interventional, physical, and behavioral foundations of pain care so they can succeed in both academic and community settings.
Training the Next Generation
Our labs study the biological, psychological, and social aspects of pain, using tools ranging from digital health to advanced neuroimaging. This research helps us understand how pain affects the brain, emotions, and thinking. With these insights, we’re developing more personalized treatments aimed at improving both pain and quality of life.
Get the Pulse on Pain
Explore clear, evidence-based explanations of what pain is, why it happens, the conditions that cause it, and the treatments that may help. You’ll also find practical guidance for daily life and real stories from patients and clinicians.