Identification

Chronic back pain is pain that has developed over a long period of time. It normally starts out mild, and then can become more severe. Acute back pain comes on suddenly, and can be intense from the very beginning.

Potential

According to RevolutionHealth.com chronic back pain tends to linger for years and can often be difficult to cure. Acute back pain is often the result of an injury that can be treated.

Prevention/Solution

The most common treatments of chronic and acute back pain include physical therapy, surgery to repair the damage or remove something that is pressing on a nerve and pain medication.

Considerations

Chronic back pain can be the result of everyday activities that we tend to take for granted. Sitting in a poor posture position could result in back pain over several years. Discuss proper ergonomic positions for sitting and working with your human resources department at your job to help reduce the possibility of developing a chronic condition.

Effects

Chronic back pain symptoms include pain in the extremities that increases over time, a tingling in the arms and legs that transitions to a numbness, and an increasing inability to use the arms or legs. Acute back pain tends to set in quickly with localized pain that can rapidly become pain in the arms or legs.

Source:

Health.com: The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain

RevolutionHealth.com: Cleveland Clinic: Acute vs. Chronic Pain

TotalHealth.com: Back Pain: The Basics

More Information:

Annals of Internal Medicine: Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain