Pain

Pain is your body's way of warning you that something may be wrong. Pain can affect your emotions as well as your body. You may have pain from an injury, after surgery, or from a health problem like cancer, osteoarthritis, low back pain, headaches, or fibromyalgia.

Your body feels pain through nerves in your skin and organs. These nerve endings send pain signals to your brain.

Pain may last for a short time or a long time. It may come and go, or it may be constant.

Pain that starts quickly and lasts for a short time is called acute pain. Examples include pain from an injury, a headache, childbirth, or right after surgery.

Pain that goes on for months or years is called chronic pain. You may have this pain from an injury that doesn't heal or from a health problem like low back pain, very bad headaches, or nerve problems called neuropathy.

Many different treatments can ease pain. The treatment you and your doctor choose depends on how long you've been in pain and how bad it is. Often the best approach is a mix of treatments.

The goal of your treatment plan is to be able to function and do the things you need to do, even if you still have some pain.

There are many options you and your doctor may consider. You may try:

• Physical treatments. This includes physical activity, massage, and acupuncture.
• Behavioral health treatments. This includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
• Mind-body treatments. This includes biofeedback, relaxation exercises, and yoga.
• Medicine. This includes:
  • Over-the-counter medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen.
  • Prescription medicines like anticonvulsants, muscle relaxers, certain antidepressants, and (in some cases) an opioid.
  • Medicine you put on your skin.
  • Injections.