Test Your Acute Pain Management Knowledge

Acute pain can have many different causes — from injuries like sprains and burns, to infections and discomfort after surgery — and it can affect people in unique ways. “Pain is an experience that an individual has,” says Leia Rispoli, MD, an interventional pain management specialist and physiatrist at DISC Sports & Spine Center in Newport Beach and Marina Del Ray, California. Understanding the cause of your pain is the first step in working with your doctor to manage it.

Take this assessment to find out how much you know about treating acute pain, so you can work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that works best for you and your symptoms.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Additional Sources

Garven C. What’s the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain? Cleveland Clinic. July 2025.
Acute Pain Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. UPMC.
Reduce Pain and Increase Mobility With Regular Activity. Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio. December 2022.
Healthy Habits That Can Actually Relieve Your Pain. Privia Pain Management Specialists.
How Sleep Impacts Pain Relief and Recovery. North Lakes Pain Consultants. November 2025.
How Does Self-Injury Change Feelings? Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery.
Brasure M et al. Treatment for Acute Pain: An Evidence Map. Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. October 2019.
Hung J et al. What Is a Pain Management Doctor? Hospital for Special Surgery.

Natalia Johnsen, MD

Medical Reviewer

Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Natalia Johnsen, MD, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and obesity medicine, practicing as an internist and consultant at the Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Washington.

Dr. Johnsen began her medical career as an ob-gyn in Russia before relocating to the United States in 2000. She completed her internal medicine internship at the University of Nevada and her residency at a Stanford-affiliated program in Santa Clara, California.

Deeply interested in the impact of lifestyle on both physical and mental health, Johnsen transitioned her focus toward prevention-based care after witnessing how many chronic conditions could be avoided or improved through lifestyle interventions. She became board-certified in lifestyle medicine in 2021 and further expanded her expertise by earning board certification in obesity medicine in 2025.

Johnsen is passionate about empowering patients with evidence-based tools to achieve sustainable health and long-term well-being.

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Erica Patino

Author

Erica Patino is a freelance writer and editor, content strategist, and usability specialist who has worked for a variety of online health outlets, including Healthline, Sharecare, and Twill Care. She was previously a senior editor at Everyday Health. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Hear 2 Tell, a website that covers advances in hearing loss treatment. Patino lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and twin sons.

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How Much Do You Know About Treating Acute Pain?

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