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Pain 101: Questions and answers

A woman seated on a couch massages her knee with both hands.

Dec. 22, 2025—Pain is a physical sensation that ranges from unpleasant to unbearable. It can feel like burning, shooting, tingling, pricking, stinging, aching or throbbing.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), pain can be your body's way of telling you something's wrong. If you ignore the pain, the problem may get worse.

To deal with the problem, it helps to understand the facts. These answers to common questions about pain—and how to cope—can help.

What are the different types of pain?

Acute pain is caused by injury or illness and has a distinct beginning and end. It can be mild to severe and usually responds well to treatment, such as medication.

Chronic pain lasts longer than the time expected for an injury to heal or an illness to subside—about three months or more. Chronic pain can evolve from acute pain or come from an ongoing health issue. Sometimes it has no known cause.

Episodic pain occurs from time to time. It can be regular or irregular and may have a known cause—like a migraine, for example—or no known cause.

Can pain be cured?

That depends on the pain's type and cause. Acute pain usually responds well to treatment, but chronic pain may not. There's no cure for it, and it can be lifelong.

Can I relieve my pain effectively at home?

There are many effective over-the-counter pain treatments. Common treatments include:

  • Pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which are anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as acetaminophen.
  • Topical creams and gels, which soothe aching muscles and joints.

In addition, doing stretching, strengthening and range-of-motion exercises at home can reduce joint stiffness, improve flexibility and strengthen muscles.

Do complementary treatments like massage, chiropractic care and acupuncture help?

Research shows that these approaches can provide some pain relief. Their effectiveness varies from person to person. If you're interested in a complementary treatment, talk with your doctor first. And seek out a licensed provider, advises the National Psoriasis Foundation.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor when your pain persists for more than a few days, is severe or gets worse. This is especially important if you have chronic pain, because it could signal an underlying condition.

Your doctor may also prescribe some stronger medications or physical therapy, which could be more effective than at-home treatments.

Should I be concerned about taking opioids for pain?

You're smart to be wary. Opioids are powerful prescription drugs that alleviate acute pain and help relax you. However, they also can be highly addictive, especially if misused, and cause negative side effects. Take opioids exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Learn the facts and myths about opioids.

What about using CBD products?

CBD is the common name for cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis. Many people use CBD products, such as creams, gels or oils, to treat musculoskeletal pain. CBD doesn't require a prescription, and it won't make you feel intoxicated or high.

However, it can be hard to find high-quality CBD products because, currently, there aren't any quality standards for them. And most CBD research suggests that it offers little or no effective pain relief.

When I'm in pain, should I avoid exercise?

It's understandable to want to put your feet up when your body hurts. But your ability to exercise—and whether you should—depends on the cause of your pain. An acute injury may need rest. But exercise may actually help with chronic pain. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, exercise helps you stay strong, limber and agile. It also improves circulation and helps you manage your weight, which reduces stress and strain on your joints.

Talk with your doctor about the type and intensity of exercise that's appropriate for you.

Can diet and sleep affect pain?

Some pain is caused or made worse by inflammation in the body. Anti-inflammatory diets may help, says NINDS. A nutritious diet can also support healthy bones, which can help prevent and heal fractures and reduce joint pain.

Getting enough sleep can:

  • Reduce joint pain when sleeping in certain positions.
  • Lower the occurrence of migraine headaches and ease migraine symptoms.
  • Help you cope with the mental and emotional toll of pain.

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