When you go to a doctor, specialist or physiotherapist about a pain they will want a clear history of the events that led up to the pain starting and how the pain behaves. This gives a clearer idea of what the cause is and how to treat and manage it.
So, take a moment to jot down the clear facts before you go for your appointment.
History of your pain
1. When did it start?
2. Was there one particular incident that caused it?
3. Did it start a day after you had done some heavy lifting or other activity?
4. Is the pain constant i.e It never stops even at night?
5. Is it intermittent i.e you have some periods when you do not feel it?
6. Is the pain present at night?
7. How does it feel in the morning and does it ease up as the day goes on or get worse?
8. Where is the pain? – clearly define the area of the body where you feel it and where it travels to if it radiates down a limb
9. What actions make it worse?
10. What actions do you feel ease it?- ie does moving or stretching help or change the level of pain
11. Do simple pain tablets such as paracetamol or Neurofen make any difference?
12. Does heat or ice relieve the pain?
13. What type of pain?- which words describe it best
Dull
Toothachey
Sharp
Deep
Near the surface
Throbbing pain
Tingling
Numbness
Pins and needles
Burning pain
Itching
14. On a scale of 0-10 how bad would you describe it?
How Bad is Your Pain – A Measurement Tool
No Pain
0 – Pain-free
Manageable Pain
1 – Pain is very mild, barely noticeable. Most of the time you don’t think about it.
2 – Minor pain. Annoying and may have occasional stronger twinges.
3 – Pain is noticeable and distracting, however, you can get used to it and adapt.
Moderate Pain—Disrupts normal daily living activities
4 – Moderate pain. If you are deeply involved in an activity, it can be ignored for a period of time, but is still distracting.
5 – Moderately strong pain. It can’t be ignored for more than a few minutes, but you still can manage to work or participate in some social activities.
6 – Moderately strong pain that interferes with normal daily activities. Difficulty concentrating.
Severe Pain—Disabling; debilitating, reduces daily quality of life, cannot live independently
7– Severe pain that dominates your senses and significantly limits your ability to perform normal daily activities or maintain social relationships. Interferes with sleep.
8– Intense pain. Physical activity is severely limited. Conversing requires great effort.
9– Excruciating pain. Unable to converse. Crying out and/or moaning uncontrollably.
10– Unspeakable pain. Bedridden and possibly delirious. Mobility may be compromised.
Start a pain journal and monitor the pain over a few days to a week as to what times of day are better than others and what helps ease the pain
