No matter how gracefully we age, most of us will experience pain at some point in our lives. Whether that pain is from arthritis, cancer or another cause, it can disrupt our daily routines and affect our quality of life. But treating chronic pain can be challenging and confusing. It can occur anywhere in the body and for many different reasons. There are also lots of treatments. We asked the experts at WebMD for an overview of pain management options.

What Is Acute Pain?

Acute pain begins suddenly and is usually sharp in quality. It serves as a warning of disease or a threat to the body. Acute pain may be caused by many events or circumstances, including surgery, broken bones, dental work, burns or cuts, and labor and childbirth.

Acute pain may be mild or severe. In most cases, acute pain does not last longer than a few months and disappears when the underlying cause of pain has been treated or has healed. Unrelieved acute pain, however, may lead to chronic pain.

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