Overview - common types of pain
The most common type of pain is acute or short-term pain. Acute pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong that needs taking care of. We feel acute pain because nerve endings are over stimulated or damaged, sending pain messages to the brain along the nerves. The pain is usually described as sharp or aching and may be helped by common pain killers, such as paracetamol, aspirin or codeine.
Chronic pain recurs or lasts for more than 6 months and is not relieved by medicine or an operation. Common types of chronic pain are back and leg pain, complex regional pain syndrome and pain from nerves.
Last updated: 24 Apr 2009
Unlike chronic pain, acute pain is usually described as sharp or aching and may be helped by common pain killers
