Pain Overview

Understanding pain

Pain starts when specialized nerve endings (nociceptors) detect potentially harmful stimuli and send signals through the nervous system to the brain, where the sensation is interpreted as pain. Learn about why pain happens and the different types of pain.

Pain based on time

• Acute pain is short-term pain that usually follows a minor injury or a surgical procedure. It can last from a few days to a few weeks, typically resolving itself within three months. 
• Chronic pain lasts longer than three months or continues after an injury has healed and is often the result of an underlying cause or condition. Chronic pain may be consistent, or it can come and go over time. Some people may live with chronic pain on a day-to-day basis. 

Pain based on cause

• Nociceptive pain occurs when tissues in the body are damaged or inflamed, such as with injury, surgery, arthritis, or other medical conditions. Patients often describe nociceptive pain as aching, throbbing, sharp, or tender.  
• Neuropathic pain occurs when the nerves are damaged or not functioning properly. It can occur in people with diabetes, shingles, or nerve injuries. This type of pain is sometimes called neuropathy. 
• Nociplastic pain occurs when the nervous system processes pain signals differently, even when there is no clear tissue damage or nerve injury. Fibromyalgia is an example of nociplastic pain. 
• Mechanical pain develops when muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, or other structures are stressed and irritated, leading to stiffness and difficulty moving. This type of pain worsens with movement or certain positions and usually occurs as people get older. It is often associated with arthritis, muscle strains, or general “wear and tear.”  

Describing pain

It’s helpful to describe the type of pain you’re feeling, where it occurs, and when it started to help them better understand your symptoms. An anesthesia professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), will ask you questions to develop a personalized pain management plan. Together, you can determine the safest and most effective treatment options. Common words to describe pain include: 

• Sharp 
• Dull 
• Aching 
• Throbbing 
• Burning 
• Stabbing 
• Shooting 
• Tingling 
• Cramping 
• Pressure-like 
• Electric shock-like 

Your anesthesia professional may also ask:  

• Where the pain is located 
• When the pain started 
• What makes the pain better/worse 
• How intense the pain is on a scale of 1-10 
• Where the pain is constant or comes and goes and how long it lasts 

Pain can feel different from one person to another, and one person may experience more than one type of pain. Contact a healthcare professional if pain is severe, persistent, getting worse, or interfering with your normal activities. Learn about When to Contact Your Healthcare Team. 

Clearly describing your symptoms can help your care team evaluate the pain and recommend appropriate treatment. Learn about Pain Medications and Drug-Free Pain Control.