Acute Pain And Chronic Pain: What’s The Difference?

Pain is a signal. It’s your body’s way to tell you something is wrong and alert you to pay attention. But that doesn’t mean everyone experiences pain the same way, or that there’s a one-size-fits-all way to manage it.

Some pain comes on suddenly but goes away quickly. Other pain develops more subtly but then lingers.

Understanding the differences in pain can help you find relief more quickly. Michael Goldberg, MD, a Franciscan Physician Network pain management specialist in Indianapolis and Mooresville, breaks down the two main types of pain, acute and chronic, and outlines their possible causes and potential treatments. He also clues you in on when to consider a call to your doctor.

Key Takeaways: Acute Vs. Chronic Pain

• Acute pain usually has a clear cause, like an injury or surgery, and often goes away once the body heals or the underlying issue is treated.
• Chronic pain can last for months or even years, and may continue even after an injury heals, affecting not just your body but also your mood and relationships.
• Treatments for both acute and chronic pain range from medications and physical therapy to integrative approaches like acupuncture, massage or lifestyle changes.
• You should see a doctor if your pain doesn’t improve with at-home care, interferes with daily activities, or impacts your mental health and overall well-being.

Acute Pain

Acute pain is the kind you feel when you touch a hot stove or prick your finger on a rosebush thorn. Something specific usually causes it, and it lasts less than six months, although it can often last for mere minutes or even seconds, as in the case of a hot stove or thorny rosebush.

Acute pain typically comes on fast and then subsides. Sometimes, the pain goes away on its own as the body heals itself, but other times, you may need treatment, although it’s usually minor.

Causes of acute pain

Some common causes of acute pain include:

• A broken bone
• A burn
• A strained muscle
• An infection
• Childbirth
• Dental work
• Surgery

How to manage acute pain

You can manage most sources of acute pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. If at-home management doesn’t work and you need additional help, your doctor may recommend something to help relieve whatever’s causing the pain. For example, if your pain is caused by inflammation in your joints from a condition like arthritis, your doctor may prescribe a cortisone shot to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Although treatment for acute pain depends on its specific cause, here are a few of the common treatments:

The RICE method

“RICE” stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. These steps are the first your doctor will usually recommend if you have an injury like a strain or a sprain.

Pain medications

Another first line of treatment for many acute sources of pain is medication. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are commonly used to treat conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, headaches, cramps and fever.

Physical therapy

If your acute pain stems from a recent surgery or injury, physical therapy may help increase your strength and mobility, as well as relieve your pain.

Lifestyle changes

If the source of your acute pain is a condition that causes inflammation in the body, such as arthritis, changing your behavior may help. For example, you can introduce foods into your diet that are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits — like healthy fats, berries and leafy greens — to help reduce pain.

Integrative health

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, research has found that some complementary health approaches, like acupuncture, massage and tai chi, can improve pain in some people.

“The key with acute pain is that once we address the issue with treatment or it heals on its own, it usually goes away,” said Dr. Goldberg.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that doesn’t go away. Chronic pain can happen without a known cause and persist even after an underlying cause, like an injury, is treated or healed. In some cases, acute pain caused by a condition like arthritis or cancer becomes chronic. In other cases, chronic pain develops for no apparent reason.

“Chronic pain is complex and can be hard to manage,” Dr. Goldberg said. “It’s also often more than just physical pain. It can affect your mood, your relationships and all aspects of your life.”

Causes of chronic pain

Some common causes of chronic pain include:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Nerve damage or disorders

How to manage chronic pain

The goal of treating chronic pain is to improve your quality of life and your ability to perform everyday activities. Because the way you experience chronic pain is often different from the way someone else will, treatment options can range from topical creams to surgery. Your doctor may also recommend a combination of treatments.

Common treatments for chronic pain include:

Oral pain medications

Topical creams and ointments, as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, may help reduce pain on a daily basis, but they’re not intended for long-term use.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help reduce chronic pain, improve your quality of life and minimize the need for pain medication.

Integrative health

Your doctor may recommend acupuncture and other complementary health approaches, like TENS stimulation, which provides stimulation around the pain to help reduce it.

Steroid injections

If you have severe chronic pain in a part of the body, like a muscle or joint, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection to help calm inflammation.

Nerve blocks

We often use nerve blocks to manage chronic pain that stems from a condition or injury that damages, inflames or irritates the nerves. Nerve blocks interrupt the pain signals that nerves send to the brain.

Surgery

For certain types of chronic pain, your doctor may advise surgery. For instance, if you have an injury or degenerative condition of the spine that causes you chronic back pain, you may need spinal fusion surgery.

Pain and your mental health

Many people who struggle with chronic pain also notice effects on their mental health. In addition to physical stress, living with daily pain can cause you mental stress, which can lead to issues like:

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Lack of energy

When To See A Doctor For Pain

While not all pain can be cured, all pain can be managed. You should call your doctor if the pain you’re experiencing affects your daily life, or if it doesn’t get better over time with at-home treatments or over-the-counter remedies. You should also talk to your doctor if you notice a difference in your overall mood or self-esteem.

“Remember that your doctor is there to help,” Dr. Goldberg said. “You don’t need to suffer alone.”

Pain Management At Franciscan Health

Whatever type of pain you’re experiencing, the providers at Franciscan Health can help. From nerve blocks and steroid injections to acupuncture and other holistic pain management techniques, our specialists can help form a treatment plan to treat your mind, body and spirit.

Learn more about pain management at Franciscan Health. You can also request an appointment.