The Three Common Types of Physical Pain
Nobody wants to experience physical pain. Whether short-term or long-term, pain interrupts our work, our lifestyle, and our relationships with our families.
Comfort is the feeling of not being in pain, and is the state you experience when everything is ‘normal’.
If a person becomes sick, or is in constant (chronic) pain, the good news is that treatment by a healthcare professional is very often possible.
One of the challenges of chronic pain is that it is hard to diagnose in the short term. And most doctors have a different definition of what chronic pain includes.
The Differences Between Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Pain
In medicine, the difference between acute pain, subacute, and chronic pain are usually determined by the time since onset. The three most commonly used time frames are one month, three months and six months since onset.
Typically, doctors will use the pain guide of:
Acute pain as anything that lasts less than 30 days
Subacute pain that lasts from one to six months
Chronic pain that lasts more than six months
Why Do the Different Pain Definitions Matter?
Acute pain is a sudden onset in a part of the body, and is usually the result of a clearly defined cause such as an injury. Acute pain typically resolves with the healing of its underlying cause.
Chronic pain is different as it it persists for weeks or months and is usually associated with an underlying condition, such as arthritis. It must be diagnosed over time to ensure it is not a minor injury that is causing it.
What are the Typical Types of Chronic Pain?
Most people who visit a doctor for ongoing or chronic pain will suffer from one or more of these types of symptoms:
Stiffness, Weakness or Pain in the Knees, elbows, wrists or ankles
Sore or stiff hips, especially when standing or walking
Dull or Sharp Back pain when standing or sitting
Pinches in shoulders or limited movement
Generally as a person ages, these types of chronic pain become more common. It can be natural wear and tear on a person’s body, or a lack of self care that causes them. Sometimes it can also be hereditary.
You Don't Need to Live With Physical Pain
While most people can ‘live with the pain’ it is also exhausting. It is the first thing that they are aware of upon waking. It restricts their activities because they don’t want the pain to get worse.
The good news is that there are many forms of treatment available today to overcome the symptoms of chronic pain. A good clear diagnosis should always come first, and each person must choose a treatment that works well for them.
If you or a loved one are suffering from acute, subacute or chronic pain, we are here to help you. Reach out to us to book a time to talk with Dr Corey, or Dr Noelani and we will get back on the road to better, pain-free living.
Pure Health in Palm Springs and Encinitas offers Naturopathic services such as medical grade nutritional supplements through IV (intravenous) therapy, injections, PRP joint treatment, ozone therapy, PRP injection therapy, genomic medicine, stem cell therapy, hormone replacement therapy, Naturopathic medical consultation, chelation therapy, specialty laboratory testing, homeopathy, and naturopathic oncology consultation. Contact us today to get your health back on track.