Pain is the body's most important warning system. It tells you something is wrong – and drives you to seek help. For most people, pain is temporary and goes away when the cause heals. But when the pain becomes prolonged or recurring, it loses its purpose and becomes a disease in itself.
This guide is your complete resource for understanding pain and modern pain management: what types there are, what causes them, how we treat them – and when you should see a specialist. We go deep into each common pain type and link to our detailed articles so you can find exactly what you're looking for.
What is pain?
Pain is a complex experience that involves both the body and the brain. Pain signals are sent from nerve endings, through the spinal cord, to the brain - which interprets the signal and creates the subjective experience of pain. Therefore, pain is also affected by stress, sleep, mood and previous experiences.
Pain is often divided into three categories:
1. Acute pain
Short-term pain that is the body's warning signal in case of injury or illness. Disappears as the tissue heals. Examples: sprained foot, strep throat, acute spinal block.
2. Prolonged pain (subacute)
Pain lasting longer than 6 weeks but less than 3 months. In this phase, early investigation and treatment are crucial – many ailments that are treated early heal completely, while those that are left to their fate risk becoming chronic.
3. Chronic pain
Pain that lasted for more than three months. Often "stuck" in the nervous system even after the original injury has healed. Requires a different type of treatment – multimodal and individually adapted. Read our in-depth guide on chronic pain.
Types of pain - by cause
Nociceptive pain (tissue damage)
The most common type. Signals from damaged tissue – muscles, joints, bones, internal organs. Often feels like grinding, pulsating or cutting pain.
Example: osteoarthritis, muscle damage, sprained foot.
Neuropathic pain (nerve pain)
Pain from damaged or irritated nerves. Often feels like burning, tingling, electric or numbness. Requires specific medications (not regular painkillers).
Examples: sciatica, herniated disc, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia.
Nociplastic pain (central sensitization)
Pain where the nervous system has become overactive without obvious tissue damage. Fibromyalgia is the classic example. Requires multimodal treatment focusing on the nervous system, sleep, stress and gradual movement.
Mixed pain
Many chronic pain conditions are mixed – a combination of multiple mechanisms. This is why a specialist assessment is so valuable: the right diagnosis leads to the right treatment.
Common types of pain - find your guide
Here you will find our in-depth articles on the most common pain conditions we treat. Click for complete guide with symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments:
Back and neck pain
- Back pain – causes, treatment and when you should seek help — 8 out of 10 Swedes suffer
- Sciatica – symptoms, causes and effective treatment — radiating pain down the leg
- Herniated disc - symptoms, treatment and when to see a specialist — 8 out of 10 heal without surgery
- Neck pain - causes, treatment and when to seek help — a classic office-worker complaint
Joint pain and orthopedics
- Knee pain - causes, treatment and when you should see an orthopedist — from runner's knee to osteoarthritis
- Hip pain - causes, treatment and when to see an orthopedist — common after age 50
- Shoulder pain - causes, treatment and when to seek help — rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, impingement
- Arthritis – symptoms, treatment and life with joint wear and tear — every fourth Swede over 45
Nerve and headache
- Headaches and Migraines - Causes, Treatment and When to Get Help — migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches
- Chronic pain - causes, treatment and when to see a specialist — the complete guide
How do we investigate pain?
A structured pain investigation is based on several steps:
1. Careful history
We listen to your whole story. When did the pain start? How does it feel? What makes it worse or better? Does it affect sleep, work, mood? The medical history is often more important than the diagnostic imaging.
2. Clinical examination
Specific tests for each type of pain identify which structure is involved. Reflexes, sensation, muscle strength, mobility, pain provocations.
3. Image diagnostics if necessary
- X-ray – skeleton and joints
- MRI – soft tissue, discs, nerves, cartilage
- Ultrasound – tendons, mucous sacs, injection guidance
- CT – sometimes alternative to MRI
Important: not all pain patients need imaging examinations. Unnecessary diagnostics can even worsen the course by focusing attention on structural changes that do not cause the pain.
4. Laboratory samples
In the event of suspected inflammation, infection, hormone disruption or autoimmune disease.
Modern pain management – multimodal approach
Today's pain management is not just about prescribing tablets. The best results come when several treatments are combined. Here are our core methods:
Drug treatment – the right medicine at the right time
- Paracetamol – the base for mild pain
- NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) – anti-inflammatory
- Neuropathic drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline) – for nerve pain
- Muscle relaxation for short periods
- Triptans for migraine
- CGRP inhibitors in chronic migraine
We avoid opioids as much as possible. Long-term opioid use often worsens the pain (opioid-induced hyperalgesia) and creates dependence.
Injection treatment (blockades)
One of the most underused but effective forms of treatment:
- Cortisone injections – quick and powerful effect in inflammation
- Hyaluronic acid – "lubricant" in joints in osteoarthritis
- Epidural blockade – powerful for sciatica and herniated discs
- Triggerpoint injections – for muscular pain
- Facet joint injection – for osteoarthritis
- PRP (platelet rich plasma) – growing use
- Botox – for chronic migraines and chronic trigger points
Movement and physiotherapy – the cornerstone
For almost all chronic pain conditions, movement is medicine. But the right movement is essential – the wrong exercise can make things worse. A specialist or physiotherapist tailors the program:
- Strength exercises that relieve stressed structures
- Mobility training that preserves joint function
- Stabilizing exercise for core muscles
- Low-load cardio training (cycling, swimming)
- Gradual exposure in case of chronic pain
Psychological tools
Pain and mental states are closely intertwined. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, relaxation techniques and stress management are evidence-based methods that reduce pain – especially in chronic conditions.
Lifestyle factors that make a big difference
- Sleep – poor sleep increases pain sensitivity directly
- Diet – anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet can help
- Weight – every kilogram less relieves the knees and hips 3-4 times as much
- Smoking – nicotine impairs tissue healing, especially the discs
- Alcohol – disrupts sleep and recovery
- Stress – muscle tension + nervous system sensitization
Surgery – last resort
For most pain conditions, surgery is not the first step. However, in specific situations (severe labrum damage, clear cauda equina involvement, advanced osteoarthritis) surgery may be the right choice. An orthopedist will help you assess.
When should you seek a pain specialist?
See an orthopedist or pain doctor when:
- The pain has been present for more than 6 weeks
- The pain affects your work, sleep or everyday life
- You have radiating pain, numbness or weakness
- Ordinary painkillers are not enough
- The pain gets worse instead of better
- You have recurring episodes of the same problem
- Your health center has not progressed in the investigation
At Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal you book an appointment without a referral, usually within a few days. We combine orthopedics and pain medicine in the same clinic - which provides a more complete assessment in a shorter time.
Red flags - seek urgent care
With these symptoms – call 112 or seek emergency care immediately:
- Sudden paralysis or severe muscle weakness
- Incontinence or loss of bladder/bowel control
- Broken anaesthesia (numbness around the genitals)
- Fever and severe back or neck pain
- Explosive headache – "worst ever"
- Sudden loss of vision, speech difficulties
- Pain with fever, weight loss, night sweats
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is the body's alarm system – it signals tissue damage and disappears when the cause heals, usually within a few weeks. Chronic pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months and acts more like a disease in its own right than a warning sign. Read more about chronic pain.
How do you distinguish nerve pain from muscle pain?
Nerve pain feels burning, stinging or electric shock-like and often follows the path of the nerve. Common painkillers rarely help. Muscle pain is pressing or aching, worsens with movement and responds well to NSAIDs. Read more about nerve pain.
When should you see a doctor for pain?
See a doctor if the pain lasts longer than 4-6 weeks, if it worsens, if it affects sleep or work, if regular pain relievers are not enough, or if there are red flags such as fever, involuntary weight loss, numbness or weakness.
What are the most common causes of chronic pain?
Back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, sciatica, herniated disc, migraine, fibromyalgia and nerve pain together account for most cases of long-term pain. Stress, poor sleep and muscle tension often worsen the problems.
Do painkillers always help?
No. Paracetamol and NSAIDs work well for acute muscle and joint pain, but often do not help well with nerve pain, migraine or fibromyalgia - which require specific medications. Overuse of painkillers (>10–15 days/month) can also cause medication overuse headache.
What is included in modern pain management?
Modern pain management is multimodal and combines several parts: medical investigation, specific medications, physiotherapy, injection therapy, lifestyle changes (sleep, exercise, stress management) and, if necessary, psychological support or interventional treatment.
Can you get rid of chronic pain?
Many can achieve significant improvement – most experience reduced pain, better function and a higher quality of life with the right treatment. Complete pain relief is not always the goal; being able to live an active life despite some pain is often the most important thing.
Do I need a referral to see a pain doctor?
No. At the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal, you book an appointment directly without a referral, usually within a few days. We accept private patients and healthcare insurance.
Do you live with pain? Here is the next step
Whether you have acute back pain, chronic migraines, knee osteoarthritis or unclear long-term pain - you shouldn't have to get used to being in pain. Modern pain medicine has come a long way, and the right assessment + the right treatment can change your everyday life.
At the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal, near Gothenburg, you meet experienced specialists in pain and orthopedics. Without referral. Within a few days. We listen to your entire story, find the right diagnosis and create an individual treatment plan.
📞 +46 (0) 10-147 77 40 ✉️ [email protected]
Book an appointment - contact us → Read more about Pain & Orthopedics →
Explore our in-depth articles
Back Pain · Sciatica · Herniated Disc · Neck Pain · Whiplash · Knee Pain · Hip Pain · Foot Pain & Heel Spurs · Shoulder Pain · Tennis Elbow & Mouse Arm · Arthritis · Fibromyalgia · Nerve Pain · Headaches & Migraines · Headaches Every Day · Stress & Health · Sleep problems · Burnout · Anxiety & Worry · Ergonomics at work · Body pain for no reason · Chronic pain
