In the present invention, Applicants demonstrate the effect of a biomembrane sealing agent on the development of chronic pain following tissue injury as well as acute pain in a model of acute inflammation. Applicants demonstrate the ability of this class of agents referred to as “biomembrane sealing agents” to reduce the severity of hyperalgesia and allodynia following mechanical insult to the nervous system as well as their ability to reduce acute pain in a model of acute inflammation. Applicant describes the use of injectable or depot formulations of biomembrane sealing agent(s) for prophylactic treatment such as they could be administered after the insult (i.e. post-injury or post-surgery) but before the onset of acute or chronic pain. Alternatively, biomembrane sealing agents could be used to reduce the severity of acute or chronic pain after onset.