Pain

Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain

Introduction

Pain is one of the main reasons people seek medical care. However, not all pain is the same. There are two main types: acute pain and chronic pain. Understanding their differences is critical to choosing the right treatment and improving quality of life. At MIVIsalud.com, we explain how to differentiate between them and the best therapeutic approaches for each.

What is Acute Pain?

Acute pain is an immediate response of the body to injury or illness. It occurs suddenly and usually disappears when the underlying cause is resolved.

Characteristics of Acute Pain:

Rapid onset and short duration.
Related to injury, surgery or acute illness.
It can be intense but diminishes with time.
It usually responds well to analgesic treatment.

Examples of Acute Pain:

Postoperative pain.
Pain due to fractures or sprains.
Toothache or toothache.
Minor burns.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain persists for more than three months, even after the injury has healed. It may be constant or intermittent and, in many cases, has no obvious cause.

Characteristics of Chronic Pain:

It lasts more than 3 months.
It may worsen over time.
It impacts quality of life and emotional well-being.
It requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Examples of Chronic Pain:

Chronic low back pain.
Frequent migraines.
Fibromyalgia.
Neuropathic pain.

Key Differences Between Chronic and Acute Pain

Feature	Acute Pain	Chronic Pain
Duration	Short term (up to 3 months)	Long term (more than 3 months)
Cause	Identifiable (injury, disease)	May be unknown or persistent
Intensity	High, but decreases with time	Variable, may increase
Treatment	Analgesics, rest, cure of the underlying cause.	Multidisciplinary management: drugs, physical therapy, psychological therapy and lifestyle changes

Acute and Chronic Pain Treatments

Acute Pain Treatment

Over-the-counter analgesics (ibuprofen, paracetamol).
Rest and application of cold or heat.
Physical therapies in case of injuries.
Medical procedures to treat the underlying cause.

Chronic Pain Treatment

Specialized medications: Analgesics, antidepressants or anticonvulsants for neuropathic pain.
Physical therapy: Personalized exercises to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Psychological therapy: Stress management and coping techniques.
Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, massage, yoga and meditation.
Healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, regular exercise and good sleep habits.

Conclusion

Identifying whether the pain is acute or chronic is key to choosing the right treatment. While acute pain usually disappears with time and simple treatments, chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach. At mivisalud.com, we have pain management specialists who can help you improve your quality of life.