Pain Level Chart
Describing Your Pain:
Use this chart to help you describe your particular level of pain to your health care provider.
My pain is:
Throbbing
Steady
Stabbing
Localized
Dull
Pervasive
ching
Chronic (persistent)
Pinching
cute (in the moment)
Other (please describe)______________________________
_____________________________________________________
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Use the scale below to better estimate the level of the pain you are experiencing:
Remember that pain affects everyone differently and only you know what you are feeling.
The following scale can help you define the intensity of your pain and describe your discomfort
to caregivers so they can provide the best treatment.
0-1:
8-9: Your pain may be severe enough that
Very little or barely noticeable pain.
it makes you stop in the middle of an
2-3: Pain is present, but you may have to
activity, or not be able to complete it
stop and think about it to really tell if
at all. It is difficult to think of anything
it is there or gone. You seem just fairly
else but your pain at this level. You
comfortable.
may be uncomfortable even during rest
4-5: You now notice your pain, perhaps at
or quiet times.
rest or during activity. It may interfere
10:
Your pain is now the worst you can
with your activities. Level “4” is the
imagine. It is important to remember
level at which it is a good idea to start
that the best way to treat the pain is to
introducing some avenues of relief.
stay ahead of its increasing intensity,
6-7: Your pain is distracting you, but you
and to maintain a regular schedule of
may be able to focus on something
pain relief. Do not wait for Level
else rather than the pain for a short
“10” before you discuss options
with your health care provider.
period of time. You may be “gritting
your teeth” to carry out activities.
REPORT ALL CHEST OR POSSIBLE HEART PAIN TO
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY.