Acute vs. Chronic Pain

Pain can be defined further according to its duration, location and etiology:

Acute Pain: Usually the result of acute trauma, illness or surgery, that resolves once the underlying condition has been treated or improves; lasts less than three months but can occasionally persist up to six months depending upon the type of injury.

Chronic Pain: Persists beyond the expected recovery time, generally longer than three to six months; usually not associated with the autonomic nervous system response seen in acute pain, but instead associated with sleep difficulties, loss of appetite, increased irritability, depression, decreased motor and or sexual function.