Find the right treatment for your pain
Different types of body pain mean different types of treatment. Learn all about the type of pain you’re experiencing so you can choose the best treatment to get you back to doing what you want.
What are the best pain treatments for you?
While we love taking a glass-half-full approach to life, looking on the bright side of pain is not always easy or beneficial. Often, pain serves a purpose. Ignoring pain can have negative consequences in the long-term, not to mention the short-term impact on how your day/week/month is going. Figuring out the best pain treatments for your pain type can be challenging. And we’re here to help.
What is pain?
Pain is an important part of how our bodies function. It can let us know that something isn’t quite right. Body pain alerts us to protect ourselves from further harm by prompting us to stop what we’re doing, and avoid repeated injury or permanent damage to our bodies.
Pain is controlled by the nervous system and is a very complex process. It occurs when a stimulus, like a fall, or overexertion of a muscle, triggers receptor nerve cells to send messages through your spinal cord to your brain. These receptors can sense heat, cold, light, touch, pressure -- and pain! Pain is always subjective. So, each of us experiences pain in our own way.
Pain can be categorized of two types, acute or chronic, i.e., long-term. In the long-term situation, it’s not a case of ‘no pain no gain’ -- toughing it out isn’t necessarily the best course of action. See your doctor if the pain you are experiencing is chronic or not due to a recent injury.
Being in pain can have quite an emotional impact. Pain can affect how you go about your daily life, keeping you away from activities you once enjoyed. It can also hamper your quality of sleep.
What is Acute pain and how does it differ from long-term pain?
| Acute pain* | Chronic pain |
Short-lived |
Long-lasting (more than 3 months) |
Usually the result of an injury |
Usually the result of an underlying condition or long-term illness |
Examples of acute pain causes: sprains, strains or sports injuries (e.g. ankle sprain, shoulder strain or back muscle pain) |
Causes: Underlying diseases or conditions |
Usually responds well to pain treatments |
Can be resistant to some pain treatments |
*Voltaren is for relief of pain associated with recent (acute), localized muscle or joint injury.
Causes by pain type and managing pain
Understanding the type and cause of your pain will help you identify the best ways to manage it.
Pain can be focused on a specific location on your body. While Voltaren is used for the relief of recent pain associated with muscle or joint injuries, here are some of the most common pain locations:
- Back pain - Back pain is a common cause of body pain Affecting some of the largest muscles in your body, back pain can have a big impact on how you move about your day. Common causes include sports injuries, lifting incorrectly. Find out more here.
- Shoulder pain – There are many potential causes of shoulder pain. But whether it’s a sports injury or sleeping in an awkward position, our shoulders are prone to strains and sprains. Find out more here.
- Ankle pain - Our ankles get a lot of use day in and day out that can cause injuries such as tendonitis and joint inflammation. That's why ankle pain is no walk in the park. Find out more here.
Managing your pain is key to living life joyfully and to the fullest. Here are some straightforward pain management techniques that are easy to incorporate into your repertoire:
- Stretching
- Therapeutic massage
- Light exercise
- Mindfulness meditation
- Cold and heat
- Biofeedback
Always talk to your doctor before trying any new pain management techniques to see if they are right for you.
Explore Voltaren’s products for pain relief
Health, wellness & your pain
Pain management is so much more than medication. It’s general wellbeing. Learn lifestyle tips here.
