Experiencing pain after an accident is completely normal, especially if the accident was serious. A traumatized body sends the nerves into a frenzy of activity. Pain can last until the physical injury is healed and well beyond. This is unfortunately the nature of injuries. However, not all pain is the same. There is a difference between acute and chronic pain that you should be aware of. Both types of pain can be physically debilitating, but they serve different biological purposes.

Defining Acute Pain: The Body’s Alarm System

The immediate pain that occurs along with the initial injury is known as acute pain. This is sharp, throbbing, blunt, and sticks to the injured area. Think of acute pain like a burned hand. Whether it’s a broken bone, head injury, back injury, or anything else, acute pain happens at the source. This is your nervous system sending your brain a signal that says “We’ve been hurt!” The reason you feel this as pain is to let you know that this area now needs to be protected.

The Transition to Chronic Pain

Pain that persists longer than the injury is known as chronic pain. Physiologically, once the area is no longer under immediate threat, the signals that say “pain” should stop. However, as millions of people are aware, they sometimes do not. Chronic pain lasts beyond the period of initial healing. This pain can last from three to six months, and often much longer. It then becomes a condition that’s separate from the injury, even though the injury was the catalyst.

Chronic pain manifests itself as back pain, headaches, nerve issues (neuropathy), joint pain, etc. The problem here is that the actual source of the pain seems okay per medical checkups and exams. This makes the pain much harder to treat, and many medical professionals may just assume that the individual is trying to receive pain medication. Chronic pain can persist due to a few reasons:

• Muscle Tension: Guarding an injured area can lead to strain in other parts of the body

• Sleep Disturbances: Persistent pain makes restful sleep nearly impossible, which in turn lowers the body’s pain threshold

• Psychological Distress: Dealing with unrelenting pain often leads to depression, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness

Why the Distinction Matters for Your Recovery

The difference between acute and chronic matters for two main reasons: one, the treatment and pain management options are going to be different; and two, insurance negotiations will need to know if they’re dealing with temporary pain, or something more serious. Acute pain can often be effectively managed through rest and initial healing. Chronic pain may take longer and involve therapy and lifestyle changes.

Insurance deals with a whole lot of paperwork. Therefore, from a documentation standpoint, the difference becomes very important. Chronic pain is going to create a lot more filing and complexity within the system. It may also create obstacles in receiving fair compensation for pain and suffering. This is why having a qualified personal injury lawyer from Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan in your corner is so vital when dealing with issues of chronic pain. Insurance companies love doing the absolute bare minimum and maintaining profit margins. If they can dismiss your chronic pain, they will. A lawyer fighting for you ensures that they will be held accountable.

Managing the legal fallout of a long-term injury while dealing with persistent physical suffering is an immense burden. Not only are the legal hurdles tough to jump through, but you’re also dealing with pain. Juggling these factors can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. By consulting a personal injury lawyer, you’re reclaiming power in this situation. You are securing a delegate to act on your behalf. You will not have to struggle with the paperwork and the insurance company’s many obstacles. A professional will handle those things for you. On your end, you get to focus on getting better.