Effective acute pain management is a cornerstone of emergency care, directly impacting patient outcomes and satisfaction. Current approaches emphasize early, multimodal analgesia tailored to the underlying cause and patient condition. Non-opioid agents such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, ketamine, and regional nerve blocks are increasingly favored to reduce opioid use and related complications.

Intranasal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes are used to ensure rapid pain relief in various clinical settings. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, including femoral and brachial plexus blocks, has become standard for specific trauma cases. Protocol-driven pain assessment tools, such as numeric rating and visual analog scales, support consistent evaluation and reassessment. Special consideration is given to pediatric, geriatric, and opioid-tolerant populations. Balancing analgesia with safety, particularly in patients with altered mental status or hemodynamic instability, remains critical. Integrating non-pharmacological techniques, including cognitive-behavioral strategies and physical methods, further enhances outcomes in acute pain management.