Pain at the time of injury is called acute pain and is normal. It’s your body’s warning system alerting you to harm or danger.
Sometimes, an injury heals but pain still persists. This is called chronic pain. Pain is typically considered chronic if it lasts more than three months. The best thing you can do to reduce your chances of developing chronic pain is to look after yourself: Try to keep active, manage your stress and anxiety, eat and sleep well, and follow your treatment plan.
Here are some resources to help you manage acute pain and prevent it from becoming chronic.
General information for understanding acute pain
Sleep
- Sleep and its impact on inflammation and pain
- Pain and sleep: a delicate balance
- Importance of sleep & psychological techniques for better sleep
Anxiety and chronic pain
- Pain and anxiety
- Understanding anxiety and its relationship to pain (from acute to chronic)
- How acute pain and anxiety can raise the risk of developing chronic pain after surgery
Medication
- Medical management of acute pain
- Pain management in trauma (clinical review)
- Treatment of acute pain during drug-assisted rehabilitation
Diet and pain
- Anti-inflammatory diet for pain patients
- A diet for patients with chronic pain
- 10 dietary considerations for people with pain
Exercise
- How exercise can help with chronic pain
- The role of exercise in pain management
- 6 steps for pain relief through exercise
- 10 recommended exercises for people with pain