McLaren Health

Rate Your Pain Level

  1. Look at the Pain Rating Scale, and rate your current pain from "no pain" to "worst pain imaginable.   (Note: Bay’s Pain Management Center uses a 0-10 pain rating scale.)

  2. Check your tolerance for pain:

    ___ I can tolerate almost any pain (except for the pain I’m experiencing now)

    ___ I have a fairly high threshold for pain.

    ___ I have a moderate threshold for pain.

    ___ I have a low threshold for pain I (I don’t want to feel a thing!)

     

  3. When do you experience pain?

    ___ Sitting ___ Bending (i.e., to get in a car)

    ___ Standing ___ Turning my body

    ___ Walking ___ Doing household chores

    ___ Lifting (anything above one pound) ___ Sleeping (can’t get comfortable)

    ___ Other (list activity)

  4. How often do you experience pain?

    ___ Only after strenuous activity ___ Only on rare occasions

    ___ Only when I move a certain way ___ Occasionally

    ___ Every day ___ All the time

  5. Where is your pain? (check all that apply):

    ____ Back ___ Lower back ____ Legs

    ____ Shoulders ___ Head ____ Abdomen

    ____ Neck ___ Arms ____ Other (list)

  6. What do you currently do for pain relief?

___ Take aspirin (No.: ) ____ Rest

___ Take Tylenol (No.: ) ____ Use ice pack

___Take ibuprofen No.: ) ____ Hot shower or bath

___ Massage ____ Other (list)

Print this pain rating scale and take it with you when you visit your primary care physician or specialist.