Pain is an unpleasant sensation that can be described based on the duration and characteristics of the symptoms. Acute pain is usually short term (less than 3-6 months)[1] and is generally easier to pinpoint. In comparison, chronic pain describes long-term pain that has lasted more than 3-6 months[2] and can be more difficult to identify the precise location.
Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain
Acute and chronic pain are sensations experienced by millions of people around the world. These terms have been developed to describe pain that has lasted shorter or longer than 3-6 months, respectively. Typically, acute pain arises from pain signals sent by the nervous system from damaged structures in the body. Chronic pain continues from an existing injury, sometimes even after the area has healed up. Many factors lead to the transition from acute to chronic pain, such as a hyperactive nervous system, emotional wellbeing, and inflammatory changes in the body. Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible to prevent long-term aches and discomfort.
Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain Conditions
While the duration of the symptoms distinguishes acute pain vs chronic pain conditions, each category has similarities and differences. For example, acute injuries are generally related to structural or tissue damage. As these begin to heal, symptoms will typically subside. In comparison, chronic pain conditions are more complex and can extend beyond just tissue damage. Many other factors, such as stress, fatigue, lifestyle factors and even psychological wellbeing can contribute.[3]
The table below details conditions and injuries commonly associated with acute and chronic pain. However, there are situations where these conditions are interchangeable, as the length of the pain can be unpredictable. For instance, while osteoarthritis is considered a chronic condition, a flare-up of pain may only last a few days before subsiding. On the other hand, while sprains are considered acute, they can lead to repetitive injuries without proper rehabilitation.
| Acute Pain Conditions | Chronic Pain Conditions |
|---|
| Strains (e.g. hamstring strains, calf tears, etc.) | Lower back pain and spinal conditions (e.g. spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, etc.) |
| Sprains (e.g. ACL ruptures, ankle sprains, etc.) | Fibromyalgia |
| Cartilage tears (e.g. shoulder labrum and knee meniscus tears, etc.) | Osteoarthritis |
| Tendinopathy (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow) | Autoimmune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.) |
| Lower back pain conditions (e.g. sprains, strains, etc.) | Tendinopathy (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow) |
| Short-term neck pain (e.g. wry neck, torticollis, etc.) | Stress fractures |
| Radiculopathy and referred pain | Complex pain syndrome |
| Migraines and headaches | Repeated episodes or recurrent migraine and headaches |
| Nerve conditions (e.g. short-term nerve impingements, etc.) | Nerve conditions (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome, long-term nerve impingement, etc.) |
| Organ-related pain (e.g. kidney and gallbladder stones, etc.) | Organ-related pain (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, cancer, etc.) |
Acute Pain Conditions
'Acute pain conditions' describe injuries that tend to heal and recover within 3-6 months. These conditions often occur due to abnormal changes to specific structures or tissue (e.g. muscles, ligaments, etc.), such as tears, overstretching and/or inflammation. As these structures recover, the pain will also begin to resolve. If not managed correctly, 'acute pain conditions' can lead to long-term symptoms and become a 'chronic pain condition.' All 'acute pain conditions' should be assessed and diagnosed early by a medical professional to prevent this from occurring.
Chronic Pain Conditions
In contrast, 'chronic pain conditions' occur for longer than 3-6 months. Chronic pain almost always begins as acute pain before progressing into long-term symptoms. The section below describes the causes for this phenomenon). For example, headaches can start off lasting only for a few days before becoming regularly occurring symptoms over several months. Chronic pain is usually more complicated than the structural abnormalities associated with 'acute pain conditions'. Medical assistance should be sought to prevent the ongoing nature of the pain and encourage recovery.
Causes of Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain
Causes of chronic pain vs acute pain are generally very different. Acute pain is more specific and usually brought on by pain signals coming from damaged structures and tissues. On the other hand, chronic pain is more complex and persists even if the structures have healed. Researchers have suggested that changes to the nervous system keep the pain signal despite the original injury healing up.[2]
The table below will list some known causes that lead to acute and chronic pain conditions.
| Causes of Acute Pain | Causes of Chronic Pain |
|---|
| Traumatic damage to the structures and soft tissue (e.g. muscle tears, ligament sprains, etc.) | Persisting and overactive pain signals coming from the original injury area |
| Inflammatory changes in the painful region | Degenerative structural changes over time |
| Bruising and internal bleeding | Pre-existing health conditions |
| Cuts and lacerations | Emotional state (e.g. pain, anxiety, fear, etc.) |
| Structural changes (e.g. tendinopathies, muscular tightness, etc.) | Genetics |
| Poor movement patterns | Persistent inflammation in the body |
| Poor recovery | Poor sleep hygiene |
| Poor movement patterns |
| Poor recovery |
5 Tips for Acute Pain and Chronic Pain (recommended by a physiotherapist)
-
Seek medical guidance as soon as possible. Most chronic pain will start as acute pain before continuing for months and even years. Early diagnosis and treatment can help with early recovery to avoid long-term symptoms.
-
Understand your pain. Nociception is a scientific term used to describe the body's way of communicating pain when faced with something harmful (e.g. heat from a pan, papercut, etc.). Experiencing pain does not necessarily mean that you are causing harm to the body (especially once the injured tissues have healed). Avoiding any activity that causes even a small degree of discomfort can hinder your recovery progress.
-
Don't stop moving. Finding pain-free movements, such as gentle stretches or walking, can help recovery by reducing inflammation and keeping the body conditioned.
-
Develop healthy habits, such as getting sufficient sleep and eating healthy, which encourages recovery from pain.
-
Talk to someone about your pain as this can help alleviate stress and anxiety about your situation. Pain is more complex than just pain signals coming from injured regions. Psychological and emotional wellbeing are often overlooked despite being hugely influential on how we feel pain.
Outlook
Early management of acute pain is the best strategy for preventing chronic pain. While chronic pain management has never been better, prevention is always better than a cure. If you are experiencing physical pain for greater than 4-5 days, seek medical guidance from a qualified professional, such as a physiotherapist or medical doctor. Overcoming pain can be managed by various treatments, including exercise, pain management strategies and lifestyle changes.
