Acute or Chronic? Understanding Basic Pain Categories

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The causes and intensity of pain vary widely, depending on the extent of damage to the body part. Although the experience of pain differs from case to case, pain falls under general categories, which are the following:

Acute pain typically occurs unexpectedly but has a limited duration. It is frequently caused by an evident damage to cells and tissues such as the muscles, bones, the skin, and other body organs. The onset is often accompanied by anxiety or emotional distress.

Chronic pain, meanwhile, is much more serious, may take months or even years to heal, and is generally resistant to standard medical treatments. It is commonly associated with or leads to a long-term illness, such as osteoarthritis. In some cases, such as with fibromyalgia, it is one of the key symptoms of the disease. Chronic pain could still be the result of a damaged tissue, but it is very often attributed to nerve damage.

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Both acute and chronic pains are debilitating and can adversely affect a person’s state of mind, physical well-being, and even self-esteem. Moreover, the most serious types can make patients more susceptible to psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety.

At the same time, psychological distress can intensify the sensation of pain. A pain management physician, Dr. Melanie Novak employs a multidisciplinary approach to treating acute or chronic pain using injection treatments, medications, physical therapy, and behavior therapy. For more details on her practice, visit this website.