Is it Chronic or Acute Pain?

We’ve all experienced physical pain at some point in our lives. While it’s not something any of us want to experience, pain is an essential aspect of being human. It’s our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. Oftentimes the pain we experience is a small and tolerable part of everyday life; things like muscle cramps, headache and stiffness. Other times, however, the pain can be much more serious and persistent; requiring medical intervention. How do you know if you’re experiencing chronic or acute pain?

Understanding the difference between everyday pain and pain that requires intervention can be tricky; it starts with identifying the pain. You will need to first pinpoint where the pain is coming from, and then identify if the pain is chronic or acute. What’s the difference between chronic and acute pain? Let’s explain. 

An acute pain is a pain that is not long lasting.  It is a pain that we feel when we have had trauma. If you are in an accident that causes you to break a bone, you would be in acute pain.  These pains will start to lessen within a shorter amount of time. However, they can turn into longer lasting problems if you don’t seek medical treatment for them when necessary.  

Chronic pain is a long lasting pain. This type of pain can come and go, or it may remain constant. Unlike acute pain, we can’t tell patients when to expect the pain to lessen or stop. The nervous system of patients experiencing chronic pain can sometimes get overworked, which can make them even more sensitive to pain. Sometimes patients can figure out ways on their own to make the pain a little bit better, but these treatments can be less effective. The best treatment plan for chronic pain is always to work with a pain management doctor as soon as you know you’re experiencing chronic pain.

Many conditions can cause chronic pain. A common cause is the condition osteoarthritis (OA), a common form of arthritis. Other types of conditions that cause chronic pain can include, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), cancer, and diabetes. When treating a patient that is experiencing chronic pain due to a medical condition, we want to make sure that the underlying medical condition is being treated properly first so that the patient has the best possible treatment outcome.  

Sometimes the cause of the chronic pain is unknown. However, that doesn’t mean that the chronic pain cannot be treated. There are always options to treat pain, and improve overall quality of life. 

Whether you have an underlying medical condition that is causing your chronic pain or the cause can’t be identified, we can help you manage your pain. Unlike traditional ER or primary care physicians that you may have seen to treat your acute or chronic pain, we utilize the most holistic treatment protocols available; while also avoiding surgeries and opioids whenever possible. There are a number of non-invasive treatment options for you to choose from. Give our office a call today to schedule your consultation to find out what options will work best for your type of pain : 972-366-4133.