Types of Pain: Acute vs. Chronic

If you have occasional body aches and pains that go away, it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if you are having pain that is impacting your quality of life and ability to stay active, you should seek the expertise of a pain management specialist. Dr. Anthony Alexander at The Pain Medicine & Rehabilitation Center in Jeffersonville, IN, provides comprehensive pain management services.

What You Need To Know About Pain

Pain that comes on suddenly is known as acute pain. It can be sharp and stabbing. Common causes of acute pain include trauma from an accident or injury, nerve pain, or a medical condition. Acute pain typically can be resolved with treatment.

Chronic pain develops gradually over time and can cause aching pain that can affect one's quality of life. Common causes of chronic pain include medical conditions like arthritis and obesity, spinal conditions, and post-surgical pain.

For moderate to severe pain, it’s best to seek out the expertise of a pain management specialist, who will determine the cause of your pain and assess your pain level. Your pain management specialist will develop a customized treatment plan, which may include:

• Prescription anti-inflammatory medications
• Prescription pain medications
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also known as a TENS unit
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Nerve blocks into affected areas to reduce pain signals

To manage severe pain, your pain management specialist may recommend surgical intervention, which can include:

• Spinal cord stimulation
• Implantable drug pumps
• Neuroablation

Want To Know More About Pain Management?

Talk with an expert to learn more about acute and chronic pain and pain management options. Call Dr. Anthony Alexander at The Pain Medicine & Rehabilitation Center in Jeffersonville, IN. You can reach him in the office by calling (812) 523-3700, so call today.