What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain?
So, you’ve found yourself experiencing pain. Ouch, we’re sorry to hear that. Pain is no fun. The question is, what to do about it? The answer will depend partially on the nature of the pain itself. You see, although pain can take many different forms, it is ultimately broken down into two types – acute pain and chronic pain.
Knowing whether your pain is acute or chronic will help you, and if necessary, your provider, to determine the proper course of treatment. With that in mind, let’s review the difference between acute pain and chronic pain.
Acute Pain
Acute pain is by far the more common of the two. Chances are you experience some form of acute pain almost every day. Maybe it’s a paper cut or a cramp. Maybe you have broken a bone or strained a muscle (but we hope not). Though the cause and severity can vary greatly, the defining characteristic of acute pain is that it is relatively short-lived.
More specifically, acute pain goes away within three months of onset. It is also usually the result of an obvious cause, like an injury, illness, or surgical procedure. Sometimes, acute pain is mild and goes away in just a few seconds or minutes, like with a cramp. Other times it can be very painful and may take days or weeks to go away, like after surgery. But eventually, the pain does resolve as the tissue heals.
Most acute pain will go away with basic self-care. For example, if you fall and bruise your knee, put ice on it to reduce swelling and stay off your feet for a short time until the pain subsides. But some issues and injuries can be more severe and may require medical treatment. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing acute pain that is causing you concern.
Chronic Pain
Most pain generally stops after treating the condition and allowing tissue to heal. But this is not always the case. Sometimes the pain will persist or even grow worse and reoccur over time, outlasting the usual healing process. If the pain continues for three months or more after onset, it becomes chronic.
Chronic pain is far more complicated than acute pain. It is not always clear what is causing chronic pain, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. It can cause significant psychological and emotional trauma and often limits an individual’s ability to fully function. Chronic pain usually can’t be treated with home remedies and will most often require medical treatment. Even with treatment, many chronic pain conditions do not have an actual cure. In these instances, the goal of pain management specialists is to provide as much relief to the patient as possible.
How chronic pain is treated depends on the cause and previous treatment history. Sometimes, chronic pain can be managed with conservative options like medications or physical therapy. In other cases, there are a variety of injections that can offer excellent results.
If the condition is severe enough or conservative options do not provide adequate relief, an implantable device may be prescribed. An intrathecal pump or spinal cord stimulation therapy can treat a wide variety of chronic pain conditions and can provide years of effective pain relief.
Pain Treatment at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Treating pain is what we do. It’s right there in our name, and we’re pretty good at it. Whether you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, we can help you find relief. Our friendly providers specialize in treating pain from head to toe. Schedule an appointment today and return to the quality of life you deserve.
The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.
