Pain protects health, but excessive wound pain and inflammation can delay healing. Clinicians often mistake inflammation for infection and may lack tools to address pain—especially when opioids are unsuitable. This session explores biological processes, assessment tools, and evidence-based interventions, including nonprescription and prescription options. Through detailed illustrations and case studies, participants will learn strategies to manage procedural, activity-related, and persistent pain while controlling inflammation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and healing trajectories. 3.5 CE credits.