How Do You Rate Your Pain?

One common method of rating pain utilizes a pain scale that ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the most severe pain ever experienced. However, researchers have found that, although this numerical pain rating scale is commonly used by healthcare professionals to gauge their patients’ pain levels, this scale does not always accurately reflect their patients’ pain. The scale may be more useful for acute pain, such as that experienced after surgery, than chronic pain that is commonly experienced by fibromyalgia patients.

When discussing pain with your physician, accuracy and specificity is important. When describing your pain, include the following information:

Provocation and Palliation: What provokes the pain? Is your pain worse as the day wears on? Does it flare up when you exercise? What makes your pain better (i.e. rest, ice, pain medications)?

Quality and Quantity: How would you describe your pain? Is it dull, sharp, or stabbing? Does the pain come in waves? How severe is the pain- is it tolerable, moderate or severe in nature?

Region and Radiation- Where exactly is the pain? Does the pain spread (radiate) to other areas? If so, where?

Severity and Scale: Does your pain interfere with your daily activities? What number would you give your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?

Timing and Onset: How long have you had the pain? Is the pain constant, or does it come and go? Is the onset gradual, or does the pain strike suddenly?

The PQRST scale above provides much more information than a simple numerical rating scale. The PQRST system is frequently used by physicians to learn more about their patient’s pain. If you are visiting your doctor to discuss your pain, think about your pain and try to answer these questions before your appointment. Providing a detailed description of your pain may make it easier for your doctor to determine the root cause of your pain and decide which treatment modality will relieve your pain most effectively.