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Acute Pain

Acute pain is a sudden, sharp pain that lasts less than 6 months. Acute pain acts as a warning to your body that it is unsafe and its health has been compromised. A common belief is that acute pain is mild and temporary. But in fact, acute pain is very complex. 

This type of pain is caused by something specific – a broken bone, burns or cuts, or even labor and childbirth. The pain goes away once the affect area has been treated. Some acute pain is temporary and short-lived. Other times, it can have a longer-lasting effect and cause severe pain. 

Therapy for acute pain treats the cause of the pain. However, it can be tricky to diagnose because the symptoms can be start and stop without warning. The pain does not last all day and night, and can produce symptoms that last a few days, a few seconds, or even just a few seconds. 

Doctors use the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (below) and have their patients rate their pain on a scale from 1 to 10. This helps the doctor learn about the pain levels and allows them to better assess the situation.  

Other test doctors use may include: 

  • Blood work
  • Imaging (MRIs, CT scans, and X-Rays)
  • Dye-injection studies 
  • Nerve Conduction studies
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