Acute pain is usually caused by something specific and shouldn't last longer than six months. Causes of acute pain include surgery, physical injuries, broken bones, burns or cuts, labor and childbirth. Chronic pain usually lasts longer than six months and can continue after the underlying cause goes away. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for a prolonged period of time. Some people suffer chronic pain without injury or apparent damage. Chronic pain is linked to headache, arthritis, cancer, nerve pain, back pain, and fibromyalgia. Chronic pain also causes emotional distress, such as depression, anger, anxiety, and fear of re-injury.. Chronic pain is not always curable, but drug treatments, i.e. pain killers, can help. Acupuncture, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery also can help.
