Steven M. Benecke, MD
Check out articles by Steven M. Benecke, MD
Pain management, treatment, and relief most frequently drive people to their doctors' offices. Discover the different types of pain, how doctors measure pain, and how chronic pain symptoms are assessed and treated, including alternative approaches.
Opioids and Pain Treatment: Special Concerns
Opioids, medications used to treat chronic pain, are associated with the potential risk of physical addition and/or psychological dependence. Because of the potential for abuse, opioids are tightly controlled and monitored by the federal government.
Pain Treatment for Acute and Chronic Pain
Acute pain responds best to short-acting medications, while chronic pain, persisting long after tissue injury has resolved, may require both long- and short-acting medications. Learn more about both types of medications and their use here.
Once the cause and type of your pain is established, your doctor will help you develop goals for your pain treatment. Learn more about chronic pain treatment, including what to expect, changes in lifestyle habits, pain medications, and more.
Do You Have Acute Pain or Chronic Pain?
Pain is classified as either acute or chronic: acute pain lasts less than, chronic pain lasts more than, three months. Pain is also categorized by the type of nerve receptors being stimulated, i.e., somatic pain or neuropathic pain.
You have many effective options for dealing with pain. Learn more about the classifications of acute and chronic pain as well as options for successful pain management that fit your individual circumstances.
