Pain is a universal experience, whether from a stubbed toe, a headache, or sore muscles after a workout. It’s the body’s signaling that something is wrong and needs attention. But what happens when the pain doesn’t go away? Or when it lingers for months or even years? This is where chronic pain comes in—a condition that impacts millions globally. Understanding the difference between acute and chronic pain and learning practical ways to manage it can significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected.

What is Acute Pain?

According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), pain is defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.” In simpler terms, pain is your body’s alarm system. It alerts you to injury, potential injury, or illness so you can take action and prevent further harm.

Acute pain is typically short-term and fades as the alarm system calms down. For example, if you cut your finger, the pain is sharp and immediate but subsides as the wound heals. Acute pain has a clear cause and resolution. Sometimes, we may develop acute pain for no clear reason. With proper treatment and education, the pain eventually subsides.

However, not all pain is this straightforward.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain lasts over three to six months, persisting long after the initial injury or illness has healed. It can develop due to an injury, illness, or sometimes with no apparent cause. Chronic pain can be a condition that makes it challenging to treat because the nervous system continues sending pain signals even after the body has healed.

Our certified Therapeutic Pain Specialist, Sara Owens, PTA, describes pain as an “output” — something done to protect the body from what the brain views as a threat. “Pain is our body’s way of protecting us,” says Sara, “But sometimes that alarm system becomes oversensitized, so things that don’t normally bother us all of a sudden do.” Before pain, someone may have been able to walk around a store without issue, but now just walking to the bathroom is a challenge. This is why chronic pain can persist long after the physical issue has resolved, with the brain continuing to view movement as a threat that needs to be addressed to protect the body.

Chronic pain can arise for several reasons:

• Injuries or trauma, even after the initial tissue injury has healed.
• Conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve damage.
• In some cases, no clear cause is found, but the pain remains due to changes in how the nervous system processes signals.
• Psychological factors, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, can also intensify chronic pain. Because pain is processed in the brain, emotional and mental health often play significant roles in the experience of pain.

Managing Chronic Pain with Physical Therapy

The goal of managing chronic pain isn’t always to eliminate it but to give patients the tools to reduce its impact on their daily lives. Sara Owens also emphasizes that her approach at Professional Therapy Services (PTS) is focused on empowering patients to manage their pain independently. “We aim to lower the threat value of pain so patients can get back to living life as they want to,” she says.

Often the cornerstone of chronic pain treatment, physical therapy strengthens and stretches muscles, improves mobility, and helps retrain the brain to interpret information from the body differently. The more the brain understands how pain works, the less of a threat it becomes. Chronic pain is like having your car’s alarm system constantly going off, even when there’s no danger. Patients can learn to calm the nervous system, properly dose exercise and movement, and regain function in the affected areas.

At PTS, the physical therapy process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to identify areas of weakness, lack of mobility, or poor movement patterns that may be contributing to the problem. The treatment plan includes exercises, manual therapy, and education on pain management. The goal is to gradually retrain the body so patients can move more freely with less pain.

Other options for comprehensive treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to change thought patterns and develop strategies to manage pain, and mind-body techniques, like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing, to calm the nervous system and reduce pain perception.

Managing Chronic Pain at Home

Effective chronic pain management includes a holistic approach. Here are some tips to help manage pain day-to-day:

• Stay Active: While resting when you’re in pain may be tempting, inactivity can worsen things. Gentle activities like walking, swimming, or yoga can help keep your muscles strong and flexible.
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, which often amplifies pain. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can be practical tools.
• Pace Yourself: Don’t overexert yourself on good days. Pacing activities and taking regular breaks can help prevent pain flare-ups.

Chronic pain can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. With the right combination of treatments, patients can take control of their pain and regain their quality of life. Contact Professional Therapy Services today to schedule a free pain screen and start your journey to better pain management.