Acute vs. Chronic
From the plain-English glossary.
Definition
Acute: recent onset (days to weeks). Chronic: persisting beyond ~3 months, often with adaptation layers — guarding, deconditioning, sensitization.
Why it matters to you
Timelines and care differ: acute problems often resolve quickly; chronic patterns unwind gradually and lean harder on exercise.
This page is education, not medical advice for your specific situation — an examination is how care decisions get made. If you may be experiencing an emergency, call 911. Full medical disclaimer.
In pain right now? Acute patients get priority scheduling. Call and tell us what’s going on — same-week appointments are usually available.
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