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Types of pain

One thing about pain — you know when you have it. And if you suffer from constant pain, over time it wears you down — physically, mentally, emotionally. Let’s look at pain and the different types, so when you speak with your doctor, you can determine which treatment options might work best for you.

Acute vs. chronic pain

There are two types of pain, acute and chronic, that can range from mild to moderate to severe. The pain can occur anywhere in your body, and it can feel different  — shooting, stabbing, burning, aching, pinching, or pins and needles — for each person.

LESS THAN 3 MONTHS

Acute pain

Acute pain appears suddenly, and as the result of illness or an injury (such as breaking a bone or being burned) or a treatment (like having a root canal or a surgical procedure). It usually lasts less than 2-3 months when treated properly.

MORE THAN 6 MONTHS

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is more complex and difficult to diagnose. To be defined as chronic, the pain lasts 6 months or longer and impacts your ability to enjoy your daily life and activities.

Back pain explained

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people talk with their doctor. It often results from overuse, injury, or even just normal wear and tear. You may experience it in one or more of these areas:

A blue figure showing sciatica pain with red pain symbols and a dashed line to the leg.

Sciatica

Sharp, burning, or shooting pain that starts in the low back or buttock and travels down the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. The pain may be felt with numbness, tingling, or weakness.

A blue figure showing lower back pain with red lightning symbols indicating pain points.

Low back pain

Aching, sharp, or stiff pain in the low back. The pain may spread to the hips or buttocks. Pain may be acute (0-6 weeks), subacute (> 6 weeks to 6 months), or chronic (> 6 months).

A blue figure showing middle back pain with red lightning bolts.

Middle back pain

Pain felt between the shoulder blades or across the mid-back.

How to talk about pain

Pain is unique, and no two people experience it exactly the same. The pain scale helps you explain the intensity to your doctor so they can create the best treatment plan for your pain. 

A pain scale gauge showing green, yellow, orange, and red levels with an arrow pointing to a high pain level.

0 – None

You have no pain.

1 – Barely

The pain is hardly noticeable. Your mobility and activities aren’t impacted, so you don’t think about it.

2 – Mild pain

Your pain is low, but easy to ignore. While your mobility isn’t impacted, you may notice twinges of pain.

3 – Moderate pain

The pain is uncomfortable, but noticeable. You can still adapt to it or work around it.

4 – Uncomfortable pain

Your pain is constantly on your mind. You can work around or ignore it, but it takes more effort now.

5 – Distracting pain

The pain is deep and penetrating. It’s starting to impact your daily activities and increase your anxiety. 

6 – Distressing pain

Your pain is impacting your psychological outlook, work performance, and relationships enough you start considering treatment. 

7 – Severe pain

The pain is dominating your ability to function and think. You need pain management and medical expertise.

8 – Intense pain

Your pain is so intense it’s changing your personality. Extreme discomfort is impacting your ability to care for yourself, effectively leaving you disabled.

9 – Excruciating pain

The pain is so severe that you’re possibly delirious or bedridden. Surgery, stronger medications, and psychological interventions are the treatment options.

10 – Unbearable pain

Your pain is so overwhelming you lose consciousness. Most people never experience this level of pain except in a severe accident. Emergency care is required. 

A doctor discussion guide with pain assessment questions and a body map. Doctor Discussion Guide

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Get the most out of your doctor visit. Download and print this handy guide to help you prepare, ask the right questions, and provide the information your doctor needs to help you find the right solution.

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treatment options just for you

Take the Personal Pain Assessment

Answer a few questions about your symptoms. It should take less than five minutes, and you’ll get information about solutions that might work for you.

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Have you been suffering from pain for more than 6 months?

EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

Dive deeper into our pain solutions

Find the tools and resources you need to understand and manage your pain. From articles to webinars to real-time help, we’ve got you covered. 

Explore pain relief resources

Live educational webinars

Watch from the comfort of your own home as pain specialist doctors explain how different treatments work.

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Helpful articles for finding relief

Check out our library of articles to learn more about causes and symptoms of pain, treatment options, and coping strategies.

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Addiction resources

Discover trusted resources to help you or your loved ones take the first step toward recovery from opioid addiction.

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Doctor Discussion Guide

Get the most out of your doctor visit. Download and print this handy guide to help you prepare, ask the right questions, and provide the information your doctor needs to help you find the right solution. 

Download the Guide

​Frequently asked questions

Acute pain is usually sharp, short-lived pain caused by trauma or illness. Chronic pain lasts over six months.

An interventional pain specialist is a doctor with advanced training in treating pain. They can provide treatment options not offered by primary care providers. If you would like to search for a pain specialist on your own, try our Doctor Locator.

You should never start or stop prescription pharmaceuticals without your doctor’s knowledge and recommendation. If you choose a drug-free pain management alternative, you should discuss how it will affect your current pain management program before you make any changes to it.

Take your next step toward pain relief

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Find a pain management specialist near you

Find an interventional pain management specialist who offers Boston Scientific solutions near you.

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§The physician locator tool identifies pain management specialists in your area who have met certain qualifying criteria and are experienced with one or more of Boston Scientific pain management therapies. All treatment options should be discussed thoroughly with a pain management specialist.

Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Systems* are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with the following: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II, Intractable low back pain and leg pain, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower extremities, Radicular pain syndrome, Radiculopathies resulting in pain secondary to failed back syndrome or herniated disc, Epidural fibrosis, Degenerative disc disease (herniated disc pain refractory to conservative and surgical interventions), Arachnoiditis, Multiple back surgeries.

The Boston Scientific Spectra WaveWriter™, WaveWriter Alpha™ and WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime SCS Systems are also indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable unilateral or bilateral low back and leg pain without prior back surgery.

*The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Systems include the following: Precision™ System, Precision Spectra™ System, Precision Novi™ System, Precision Montage™ MRI System, Spectra WaveWriter™ System, WaveWriter Alpha™ System, WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime System.

Note: CRPS I was previously referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and CRPS II was previously referred to as causalgia.

The mySCS™ Go Therapy Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems are not for patients who are unable to operate the system, have failed trial stimulation by failing to receive effective pain relief, are poor surgical candidates, or are pregnant.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Exposure to MRI may result in dislodgement of the stimulator or leads, heating of the stimulator, severe damage to the stimulator electronics and an uncomfortable or jolting sensation. As a Spinal Cord Stimulation patient, you should not have diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause uncomfortable jolting stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator system may interfere with the operation of implanted sensing stimulators such as pacemakers or implanted cardiac defibrillators. Advise your physician that you have a Spinal Cord Stimulator before going through with other implantable device therapies so that medical decisions can be made and appropriate safety measures taken. Patients using therapy that generates paresthesia should not operate motorized vehicles such as automobiles or potentially dangerous machinery and equipment with the stimulation on. Stimulation must be turned off first in such cases. For therapy that does not generate paresthesia (i.e. subperception therapy) it is less likely that sudden stimulation changes resulting in distraction could occur while having stimulation on when operating moving vehicles, machinery, and equipment.

Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, call 866.360.4747 or visit Pain.com.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Indications for use: The Intracept™ Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is indicated for patients who have had chronic low back pain for at least six months, who have tried conservative care for at least six months, and whose MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes – indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation. Not every patient who meets these criteria is a candidate for the Intracept Procedure, however – in fact, there are specific characteristics indicating a patient should not be considered for the procedure.

Contraindications: Patients who are pregnant. Patients with weakened cardiac or pulmonary function, having an active implanted electronic medical device in the body (such as a pacemaker or defibrillator), being diagnosed with a systemic or local infection, or having an anatomy that could be damaged unintentionally while ablating the basivertebral nerve (based on your physicians’ clinical review). Patients who are skeletally immature – which generally means individuals under the age of 18 are not candidates.

Warnings: There are also certain risks and precautions regarding the procedure which you should be aware of before proceeding. With all medical procedures, there are risks and precautions associated with the procedure and the use of the device, talk with your doctor about what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients for the Intracept Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects visit www.relievant.com/intracept/.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Radiofrequency Generators, associated Radiofrequency Lesion Probes and RF Cannula are indicated for use in procedures to create radiofrequency lesions for the treatment of pain or for lesioning nerve tissue for functional neurosurgical procedures. The Boston Scientific RF Injection Electrodes are used for percutaneous nerve blocks with local anesthetic solution for radiofrequency lesioning of peripheral nerve tissue only. The Boston Scientific LCED and Stereotactic TCD Electrodes are indicated for use in radiofrequency (RF) heat lesioning of nervous tissue including the Central Nervous System.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. The Boston Scientific RF devices may cause interference with active devices such as neurostimulators, cardiac pacemakers, and defibrillators. Interference may affect the action of these active devices or may damage them. Talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the Boston Scientific Radiofrequency Generators, associated Radiofrequency Lesion Probes and RF Cannula and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For appropriate guidance, consult the instructions for use for these active devices.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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