Pain is an all-too-familiar problem and the most common reason that people see a physician. Unfortunately, alleviating pain isn't always straightforward.

At least 100 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, according to the Institute of Medicine. The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that chronic pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

Understanding and managing the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that accompany your discomfort can help you cope more effectively with your pain — and can actually reduce the intensity of your pain.