It is technically defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer—even after the pain is no longer acute (short-term, severe pain) or the injury has healed. Of course, there are many causes of chronic pain that can affect any level of the spine—cervical (neck), mid back (thoracic), low back (lumbar), sacral (sacrum), or a combination of levels (e.g., lumbosacral).