Assessing Your Pain

Effective pain management is best achieved by a team approach involving the patient, his/her family, and health care providers. As soon as pain begins, it is important that a patient talks to a health care provider who is knowledgeable in pain management. Besides mitigating suffering, pain control is critical because even when the underlying disease process is stable, uncontrolled pain prevents patients from working productively, enjoying recreation or taking pleasure in their usual role in the family and society.

The goal of the initial assessment of pain is to characterize the pain by location, intensity, and aggravating and relieving factors. Frequently a 10-point Numeric Pain Intensity Scale or Visual Analog Scale is used to facilitate communications between the patient and health care professionals, and to monitor the adequate therapy. Regular follow-up should occur and routine recording of pain intensity along with other vital signs is recommended.

Because many patients have persistent or daily pain, it is often important to use medications on a regular schedule rather than only “as needed.” Around-the-clock administration of analgesics allows each dose to become effective before the previous dose has lost its effectiveness. Patients may also be prescribed “as needed” doses for breakthrough pain.

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