Acute versus chronic pain
In general, when an injury flares up quickly and then goes away, it’s considered acute. For example, a paper cut is an acute injury because it happens suddenly but heals in a matter of days.
Meanwhile, chronic injuries last a while and can be difficult to treat. Chronic neck pain can be very uncomfortable and even debilitating. While acute injuries might sound worse, InformedHealth.org explains that they’re actually less serious.
Tense muscles (which can be caused by sitting at a computer for too long) or sleeping in an awkward position can cause acute neck pain. Usually, it goes away in a matter of one to two weeks. Symptoms that last longer than 3 months are considered chronic. Psychological stress is a common issue in people with chronic neck pain. Some people with acute neck pain who find relief can have recurring bouts of neck pain if they do something to trigger it, such as a contact sport.
