Physical Therapy: Pain Scale

While pain is very subjective, a comparative pain scale exists to determine the level and severity of a patient's pain. Health care professionals, including physical therapists, measure pain on a scale of 0-10.

Whether you suffer from everyday aches, or you've experienced a more drastic injury, pain can be worrisome. Physical therapy can help ease the pain of movement and function of a variety of body areas. Therapists typically work to determine the source of pain, while patients are responsible for expressing the magnitude. Utilizing a pain scale can help physical therapists decide what procedures, exercises and treatments to use with each individual patient.

Communication

• You must be able to openly communicate with your physical therapist. Failure to do so could result in further injury. Exaggerating or downplaying your pain level can cost your therapist time and will cost you money.

  Pay attention to the way your body feels and, if it helps, keep a journal of your pain levels. Certain exercises may be hard to complete if your levels are anywhere between 4 and 6. Tell your therapist, describing the level of pain you feel, and they will adjust your physical therapy program.

Describing Pain

• Everyone reacts to pain differently, so it can be hard to explain. Consider how your pain is affecting you and if you have any other symptoms. Your physical therapist will ask you to refer to a pain scale to describe when the pain started, as well as how long it tends to last. If certain actions worsen or improve your condition, this will help your therapist know how to help.

Levels 0-3

• The first four levels indicate minor pain, except for 0, which indicates no pain at all. Levels 1-3 are used to describe very mild, uncomfortable feelings. These levels of pain can be managed with medications and other soothing options, and they are easy to adapt to. Examples of 1-3 levels of pain could include an accidental cut or a mosquito bites. Physical therapy is not traditionally necessary for pain levels of this importance.

Levels 4-6

• You may want to seek physical therapy if you suffer from pain in any of the three following levels. Levels 4-6 can range from distressing to intense. This pain is much more noticeable and you may become preoccupied with managing the pain. Anything from an ankle or leg injury to severe back pain can interfere with your daily routine. Therapists will ask you to describe your pain before they instruct you on how to exercise certain areas. Therapy will strengthen the weak and strained parts of your body, leading to better well-being.

Levels 7-10

• If you feel pain that ranges anywhere from 7-10, seek immediate medical attention. You may require prescription pain medication, surgery or other serious treatments. Pain from 7-10 can consume your life and leave you unable to function normally. Examples of this intense, excruciating pain can range from childbirth to injuries from a car accident. Having pain of this caliber cannot be immediately resolved with physical therapy. However, once your pain is managed, physical therapy may be utilized to restore your body to a healthy status.