20/11/2025
Understanding Pain: Acute vs Chronic
Pain is the body’s way of signalling that something needs attention - but not all pain is the same.
Acute pain is short-term, often sharp, and linked to a specific cause such as a sprained ankle or strained muscle. It usually fades as tissues repair.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is pain that lasts. Conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia may keep pain signals active even without ongoing injury. This persistence can affect sleep, mood, and overall quality of life, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.
Osteopaths take a whole-body approach when working with pain. For acute injuries, treatment may involve gentle manual techniques to support mobility and reduce muscle tension while the body heals. For chronic pain, care often extends to helping patients understand their pain, identifying movement patterns that might be contributing, and offering strategies to improve function. Osteopaths may also discuss exercise, stress, and lifestyle factors that can influence how pain is experienced.
If you’re living with ongoing discomfort, it may not have to be your new normal. Call us on 4968 9664 or book online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to make an appointment with us today and let’s see how we can help.