When you’re living with pain, one of the most difficult things to do is explain how it feels. It can be tricky to describe your pain, whether it is sharp, dull, constant, or intermittent. This is where the pain scale comes in handy. Being able to communicate your pain clearly ensures your doctor can help you better — especially if you’re looking for pain doctor near me.
What is the Pain Scale?
The pain scale is a tool that doctors use to understand how much pain you’re feeling. It usually goes from 0 to 10.
•0 means no pain whatsoever
•10 means the worst pain ever
You might hear some doctors use words like “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe.” Others may have a chart to share with you consisting of faces with different emotions. These tools can help patients of all ages – children and older adults included – describe their pain better.
Why the Pain Scale is Important
When you tell your doctor, “I’m in pain,” your doctor will need additional details to help you. Is the pain sharp or burning? Is it moving pain or constant? On a scale of 1 to 10, where is your pain (1 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable)?
When you use the pain scale, you give your doctor a snapshot of your pain. This helps them:
•Understand the severity of the pain.
•Determine the proper treatment.
•Monitor your progress over time.
So next time you go to see your doctor, or google rheumatology near me, remember: using the pain scale can expedite your care and increase its accuracy.
Communicating Your Pain
Here are some helpful tips for communicating pain with your doctor:
•Be Honest! Don’t hide the pain or sugar coat it. It is totally fine to tell your doctor if the pain is intolerable.
• Give It a Number: Pick a number from 0 to 10.
• Talk About the Pain: Is it sharp, hot, sore, or pounding?
• Say When It Hits: Does it come in the morning, at night, or only when you move?
• Share How It Changes Things: Can you not sleep well? Walk? Do your job?
Closing Thoughts
Pain is personal, but you don’t need to endure that pain alone. Learning to use the pain scale gives you a lot of added help. Whether you have joint pain, arthritis, or chronic illness – being able to express your pain in a clear manner is the first step in the process of healing. Don’t wait if you are looking for myths about chronic pain management, the best help is just a small step away!
