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Acute Pain services offered in Newark and Milford, DE
Acute pain usually comes on suddenly and is caused by an immediate injury or illness. The pain management specialists at Mid Atlantic Spine and Pain, with offices in Newark and Milford, Delaware, treat acute pain with a number of innovative treatments, including medications, MLS laser therapy, and steroid injections. Call today or use this website to book an appointment online to get your acute pain diagnosed and treated.
Q & A
What is acute pain?
Think of acute pain as immediate and sharp. It has an underlying cause and as soon as that cause goes away, so does the pain. Acute pain usually lasts less than six months.
What causes acute pain?
The cause of acute pain can usually be determined. It may be due to:
- Broken bones
- Cuts or lacerations
- Burns
- Pulled muscles
- Sprains or strains
- Short-term illnesses like shingles or gastroenteritis
Once your Mid Atlantic Spine and Pain provider pinpoints the cause of your acute pain, they can put together a treatment plan to resolve it.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Chronic pain is long-lasting, usually persisting for six months or more. It may be caused by a long-term illness or condition, like cancer, fibromyalgia, or peripheral neuropathy. Chronic pain can continue even if the injury or illness that originally caused the pain has gone away.
Acute and chronic pain have an impact on your health, but chronic pain can have consequences that include:
- Muscle tension
- Limited mobility
- Poor appetite
- Low energy
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anger
- Anxiety
Chronic pain can alter your overall quality of life and well-being. Acute pain certainly isn’t pleasant, but it does eventually end.
How do you diagnose the cause of acute pain?
Sometimes the cause of your pain is obvious, but not always. The providers at Mid Atlantic Spine and Pain may order several tests to determine your particular diagnosis, including:
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound
- Dye-injection studies like discography
- Electrodiagnostic testing
The results of these screenings help your provider understand what’s causing your pain and create an effective treatment plan.
How is acute pain treated?
Your provider at Mid Atlantic Spine and Pain considers your particular case when determining treatment. Your plan could include:
- Pain medications, including over-the-counter and prescription
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- MLS laser therapy
Your provider can also make recommendations for at-home treatments, including rest, icing or heat therapy, bracing, and stretching exercises.
If you’re struggling with acute pain, contact the pain specialists at Mid Atlantic Spine and Pain. Call one of the offices today to schedule an appointment or use this website to book online.