Pain is one of the most common and complex experiences that patients face. In physiotherapy and rehabilitation, it is often the event that prompts patients to seek treatment. Understanding the different stages of pain helps both professionals to determine the most appropriate treatment and patients to be more aware of their recovery process.
- The three stages of pain
- Pain management in different stages
- Customised training
- Want to know more or receive commercial offers?
The three stages of pain
Pain develops in three main stages: acute, subacute and chronic, based on the duration of the symptom and the body’s response.
Acute stage: appears suddenly, immediately after an injury or trauma, and is intense and localised. It generally lasts no longer than four weeks and ceases when the cause is healed.
Subacute phase: this is an intermediate phase, which can last from a few weeks to a month or more, characterised by progressive recovery and targeted intervention to control pain. In this phase, therapeutic exercise can already begin with gradual exposure to load according to the patient’s tolerance and response.
Chronic phase: this phase extends beyond the physiological healing time, generally beyond three months. It often becomes a pathological condition that is difficult to treat and can alter the patient’s nervous system, behaviour and emotional state.
Pain management in different stages
Pain management varies with the stage of the patient’s condition. In the acute stage, the focus is on fast pain relief and treatment of the underlying cause. It can be treated with medication (painkillers, anti-inflammatories, etc.) or, for example, with devices such as EmField Pro for pain control and biological tissue stimulation, and Cryo Pro XL to minimise oedema and inflammation of traumatised tissues.
In the subacute phase, functional recovery begins to prevent chronicity. Mobilisation techniques and manual therapy are introduced along with treatments that stimulate tissue regeneration, such as Physio Hyperthermia with Delta.
Finally, if the chronic phase is reached, it becomes essential to combine therapeutic exercise, manual therapy and high-tech devices such as Physio Invasiva 2.0, which can modulate persistent pain and improve overall functionality.
Customised training
Would you like more information on setting up the most appropriate therapeutic pathway? Would you like to know more about which device to use and how to use them? Our specialists are available for clarification and customised training.
In addition, together with PrimAcademy Italia, we have developed ‘FISIOPAIN, precision physiotherapy for pain treatment and management’, a course to be held in Florence on 8 and 9 November 2025, featuring prominent lecturers from Spain and Italy. In the FISIOPAIN course, you will learn about the latest developments in pain science and how to manage pain optimally through clinical assessment, rehabilitation, physical means, targeted exercises and manual techniques.
Want to know more or receive commercial offers?
To know more, write to info@easytechitalia.com or call 055 8455216.
