The Panel of Administrators approved amendments to the Board's policies on pain and chronic pain contained in Chapters 3, 6 and 12 of Volume I and Volume II of the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual. The amended policies set out the definitions for acute, subacute and chronic pain and introduce the concepts of early intervention through early return to work assistance and focussed treatment and rehabilitation to prevent the onset of chronic pain. The amended policies also provide definitions of specific and non-specific chronic pain and clarify those cases that will be considered for a section 23(1) award for chronic pain. The amendments were effective January 1, 2003 and apply to new claims received and aPOAll active claims that are currently awaiting an initial adjudication.