How Will My Pain Be Measured?
You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10. Zero (0) is the lowest. Ten (10) is the highest. This is what the Pain Scale means:
| 0–1 |
No pain to just barely noticeable. |
| 2–3 |
Pain is present but you may have to stop and think about it. |
| 4–5 |
You may notice your pain perhaps at rest or during the day. |
| 6–7 |
Your pain is distracting you. You may be gritting your teeth to carry out activities. |
| 8–9 |
It is difficult to think of anything else but your pain. |
| 10 |
Your pain is now the worst you can imagine. |
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Everyone's response to pain is different. Our goal is to help you manage your pain through medication and/or non-drug treatment. By helping you control your pain, we can help you increase your function and quality of life. Pain management is a joint effort between you, your family, and your doctors and nurses. Whether your doctor prescribes medication for your pain, or suggests you try other treatment options (such as exercise, hot/cold therapy, relaxation techniques), it is important to communicate your pain levels to him/her.
Pain–the 5th Vital Sign
Taking vital signs helps your providers know how your body is working and feeling. Vital signs include:
- Temperature
- Pulse
- Respiration
- Blood Pressure
- Pain (The 5th Vital Sign)
Way to Identify Pain
When a patient cannot communicate, caregivers can watch for behaviors that may signify the patient is experiencing pain:
- Facial grimacing
- Moaning, crying or other vocalization
- Body movements (biting, hitting, striking out, resistant to being moved, guarding certain areas of the body, continuous rocking)
- Changes in activity level (needing more rest, less social activities, inability to sleep)
- Changes in mood (depression, irritability, withdrawn or confused)
Understanding pain often involves including family members, as well as your doctor or nurse. Through this involvement, we can better manage your pain and help improve your quality of life.
What should you tell your provider?
| To help you remember: Keep a pain diary. |
- Where does it hurt?
- When did the pain begin?
- What does it feel like?
- How does the pain interfere with your daily routine?
- What is the highest level your pain has been?
- What makes the pain better?
- What makes the pain worse?
- What level of pain do you think you can live with?
Who can you contact for help
with your pain?
If you are a VA outpatient, please contact
your primary care provider. If you are an
admitted/inpatient, please contact the nurse
or physician taking care of you. Ask to have a
pain assessment. If they are unable to manage
your pain, they will consult the pain management
team.
VA health care providers are dedicated to
helping you with your pain. Not all painful
conditions can be cured but it is our goal to
increase your function and quality of life. It
is important that you have a realistic plan for
pain management.
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