Acute vs. Chronic Pain

Acute pain is a pain that has a limited time frame. It usually, though not always, starts suddenly, has an identifiable cause, can be treated, and once treated, the pain subsides. In that sense, since the cause of the pain can be 'cured', acute pain can usually be 'cured'. Examples of acute pain are:

• Pain coming from appendicitis - once the appendix is removed, the pain goes away.
• Pain coming from childbirth - once the baby is delivered, the labor pains stop.
• Pain from a broken limb - once the limb is healed, the pain goes away.

Chronic pain is a pain that is long-lasting and ongoing. It can come on suddenly or gradually. Sometimes an identifiable cause for the pain can be found and sometimes, despite many diagnostic tests, no cause can be clearly identified. The pain may be coming from various areas or causes, none of which are 'curable', but they can be managed to help reduce the pain to a reasonable level. Examples of chronic pain are:

• Pain coming from degenerative discs - the spine cannot be replaced but the pain can be improved by exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, stress reductions, physical therapy, medications and injections.
• Pain coming from arthritis involving many joints - some, but not all, joints can be replaced, but the pain can be improved by exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, stress reductions, physical therapy, medications and injections.
• Pain coming from fibromyalgia - the muscles can't be replaced, but the pain can be improved by exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, stress reductions, physical therapy, medications and injections.

In each of these types of pain, the patient's attitude, anxiety, stress, and personal habits all play a role in increasing or decreasing their pain levels.