Your Quick-Relief Guide for Acute Pain, According to Doctors

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about These treatments will help you handle all types of acute pain, from head to stomach to joints.

A stubbed toe, a bruised rib, or a strep-induced sore throat brings what doctors call acute pain—it has an obvious cause and goes away as soon as the issue is healed. Knowing how to treat this type of pain (as well as flare-ups of chronic issues) is crucial to being able to live your life and do the things you love. (plot twist fr)

Here, how to help yourself when a “yow!

The Details

Head pain Muscles in and around the head can tighten (causing tension headaches), or overzealous nerve and chemical activity can inflame brain blood vessels there (triggering migraines). Try massage: To promote blood circulation, use your fingers to gently massage painful areas.

Or try DIY trigger point therapy, suggests Christopher Gold, D. , a primary care physician at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.

Why This Matters

Locate any super-tense spots—they often feel like small marbles under the skin—and firmly press into the knot for up to 90 seconds; release and repeat several times. (You may feel discomfort, but stop if it truly hurts. ) Cool it off: Place an ice pack on your forehead or your temples, which will numb the area and dull the ache.

This is the kind of health news that affects everyday decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Water down: Drink plenty of H2O to improve your hydration, which can lessen the severity of the attack.
• Caffeinate: Pour yourself some coffee, black tea, or cola.
• Studies show that caffeine soothes headache pain, especially when combined with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.
• Talk to your doctor about meds: For run-of-the-mill headaches, NSAIDs are generally best.

The Bottom Line

Muscle, neck, and back pain Overuse, injuries, or strain can inflame muscle fibers and make them spasm. Approach: Depending on where the pain is, Rest, Ice, Compression (use a stretchable bandage), and Elevation (above heart level if possible) may help minimize it.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.