Acute pain versus chronic pain
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EmailUnderstanding pain and its symptoms may help those with chronic pain improve their health and face the daily challenges.
Whether we experience pain from a stubbed toe, broken arm, migraine or arthritis, learning to live with pain is a part of life. Pain is a personal, individual and subjective experience, which means one person’s experience with pain may not be the same as someone else’s. When considering how to address pain, it’s helpful to understand the differences between acute and chronic pain conditions.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, acute pain is usually experienced suddenly and is sharp in quality. It generally has an identifiable cause and typically resolves within six months once healing takes place. Examples of acute pain include simple and more complex illnesses and/or injuries such as a sore throat, dental work or surgery. Once the pain and healing improve, a person can usually return to their normal lifestyle.
Chronic pain lasts longer than three to six months and exceeds what is considered a normal amount of time needed for healing and recovery. Chronic pain is often unpredictable and can affect multiple areas of the body. People with chronic pain may have no past injury or body damage. Examples of chronic pain include headaches, arthritis or fibromyalgia. According to U.S. Pain Foundation Chronic Pain Facts, over 51.6 million adults live with chronic pain and 7.4% experience high-impact chronic pain that limits their life or work activities.
If you’re experiencing pain that doesn’t go away, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional. They can help determine whether your pain is acute or chronic and guide you toward the most appropriate treatment options.
Michigan State University Extension offers programs that can help individuals manage chronic pain more effectively and enhance their overall quality of life:
- Chronic Pain PATH is a six-week series that provides the skills and tools needed to help people, living with chronic pain, improve their health and manage their pain.
- Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention is an 18-session series that combines slow movement, deep breathing and focused attention that has been proven to help relieve symptoms associated with arthritis.