Can You Name Your Pain?
During my initial evaluation of a new patient, I pose a series of questions regarding their pain’s quantity, quality,and behavior. These questions can leave my examination room filled with the “sound of crickets”—confused silence, followed by prolonged contemplation. It’s as if my patient has shown up for an exam for which (s)he has failed to study.
I certainly do not ask these detailed questions to befuddle, but rather to glean some important, often diagnosis-enhancing, information. If you or someone you care for find yourself needing to seek medical attention for a “pain issue,” please allow me to assist you in gathering some important “pain facts” before you head out the door to be examined.
Pain is complicated. It has physical, chemical, mental, and emotional components, and, as such, it’s quite unique in each “host.” Below is a list of “pain lingo” which will enable you to effectively describe the symptoms you’re experiencing. This way your practitioner will be better able to diagnose, treat, and re-evaluate you (based on the same criteria) as your treatment progresses.
Frequency- Is your pain constant, intermittent, or occasional? Constant means there is never a time when you are without pain—regardless of position. Intermittent means your symptoms come and go, throughout the day. Occasional indicates your symptoms are infrequent, or rare, but are recurring to some degree.
Quantity- On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the absolute worst imaginable), where does your pain range? 0-4/10, 3-7/10? Pay attention and be as accurate as you can. There’s no wrong answer—it’s how YOU quantify your pain that matters.
Quality- How you describe the nature of your pain sensation is important because different structures in the body can give rise to unique sensations. Adjectives to consider include: dull, sharp, shooting/electrical, throbbing, burning, tingling (pins and needles), and numbness (lack of sensation).
“Real Estate”- I use this terminology with my patients when asking them to outline for me the area(s) of their body where their pain spreads to, occupies, or “resides.”
Behavior- Then there are other questions to be answered…By now you are beginning to feel my patients’ “pain,” right?Does the pain awaken you at night? Is it position-dependent (i.e., worse with sitting)? Are there any easing or aggravating factors?
Armed with this detailed symptom analysis, your practitioner will have a much more accurate and informed diagnosis to offer you—and that helps everyone involved!