Introduction

Pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms requiring medical intervention. It is a complex stressful, subjective, and multidimensional experience. While acute (e.g., post-injury or postoperative) pain serves as an essential alarm signal, triggering adaptive and homeostatic responses, chronic pain is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses biological, psychological, and social issues. Characterizing acute and chronic pain forms adds another layer of complexity, both temporally and as their underlying pathophysiology. The transition from acute to chronic pain, along with its clinical manifestations, is a critical area of study, and several aspects need to be better elucidated. For example, some forms of chronic pain emerge without preceding acute pain phases.