Chronic pain is a persistent and pernicious problem, affecting around twenty percent of adults worldwide. How to adequately treat this pain has become one of the leading challenges for a medical industry. For years, pain treatment has centered around the use of opioids and NSAIDs, both of which often prove frustratingly ineffective and come with a litany of concomitant societal and individual costs. Medical practitioners have long thought that there has to be a better way, and now the promise of pharmacogenomics suggests humanity might finally be on the cusp of a revolutionary breakthrough. NSAIDs are a category of anti-inflammatory pain medications that include such over-the-counter mainstays as aspirin and ibuprofen. While they can be effective in mitigating mild or moderate pain, they also contain harmful toxins that affect the stomach and the cardiovascular system. The side effects are usually mild, but can sometimes result in ulcers or renal failure, making them a suboptimal option in the treatment of pain. Opioids are more effective against severe pain but come with their own phalanx of undesired outcomes. They can cause side effects from dizziness to immune system modulation, and their mood-altering tendencies make them addictive. Researchers are hoping that a new approach to pain medication can be found by studying human genes. Scientists have discovered six genes or gene clusters that are connected to the development of pain. They have also found that the genetic characteristics of an individual can determine the efficacy and side effects a particular drug is likely to have in the treatment of their pain. Certain people, for example, are more susceptible to the addictive qualities of opioids, while others are especially vulnerable to the toxicity of certain NSAIDs. By understanding the specific genetic particularities of a given patient, doctors will be able to make better decisions about what medications to prescribe. This new understanding is already having effects on common medical practice. Many doctors have begun to take genetic information into account in deciding which medications are best for a patient, and at what dosage. This can only have a positive impact, as patients receive the personalized care that will optimize the outcomes of their care. With research set to continue, pain treatments can only improve.