Understanding pain Simon Crompton Pain is a message sent along the nerves to tell the brain something is damaging the body. The brain then sends a message to the muscles or organ to take action - for example, it tells the hand to get away from what's burning it.

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Acute or chronic

How it's treated

Doctors make a distinction between acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain usually goes away quickly. It's useful, because it warns you of sources of harm and tells you to protect yourself while the body heals.

Chronic pain can be just as unpleasant but lasts much longer. If you have pain in the same place for 12 weeks or more, it's likely to be classified as chronic. Because it lasts so long, it's of less value as a warning.

Help yourself

Print out and fill in a back pain plan to help you keep track of your back problems. It could help you pinpoint the triggering factors and thus enable you to take better care.

Most people have acute pain and common painkillers usually help if taken regularly and according to instructions. The body also produces its own natural painkillers called endorphins. Exercise and treatments such as physiotherapy, manipulation and acupuncture help to increase the endorphins in your body.

Chronic pain is more difficult than acute pain to help and sometimes doesn't respond to treatments such as over-the-counter painkillers and physiotherapy.

People with chronic pain often need specialist advice and support. Sometimes, they are referred by doctors and physiotherapists to pain clinics.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in September 2007.
First published in March 1999.