4 Differences Between Acute Pain & Chronic Pain

Scientists have no clear definition of physical pain.

They are clear that it is” far more than neural transmission and sensory transduction. ”[1]

 Pain is classified as either acute or chronic.  

Acute pain is the result of an injury or disease that is treatable and lasts up to six months. Chronic pain is the result of a myriad of conditions or no known condition, lasts longer than six months and is often resistant to medical treatment.

See the following chart for more information.

4 Differences Between Acute & Chronic Pain

Type of pain	Acute:Usually sharp & severe	Chronic:Intensity and level of pain cycles from no pain to unpleasant pain to pain that is a dull ache, burning, and/or stabbing/shooting sensations. These are just a few of the types of pain sensations. Its one identifiable trait is that pain is constant in coming back
How long it lasts	Up to 6 months	Over 6 months
How it originates	Injured or diseased tissue	Previous injury, trauma, disease, syndrome, often the cause is unknown. Acute pain can lead to chronic pain.
Purpose of Pain	To warn of disease or injury and that medical intervention is needed	Difficult to ascertain. Often pain does not point to a treatment that will alleviate the pain or any medical condition.
Healing process	Pain goes away as tissue heals. It is treatable.	No predictable pattern of healing with no predictable course of treatment that always works. Pain may never resolve.

Related Article: 1 out 3 People Suffer From Chronic Pain

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[1]says Kathryn Weiner, director of the American Academy of Pain Management: http://www.livescience.com/health/060131_pain_truths.html