How to Communicate Pain to Your Doctor

Pain is something all individuals experience at one time or another. The degree of pain can range from very minor to excruciating. Many people have difficulty communicating the degree of pain they are feeling to their doctor. Likewise, doctors can be left feeling very frustrated by a patient's inability to accurately communicate their pain. You can help to avoid communication problems by learning effective ways to describe pain to your doctor.

Instructions

Patient communication techniques.

• 1

  Describe your pain by using the scale system. Many doctors are taught this method in school. Since everyone experiences pain differently, it may be necessary to use a number to communicate the intensity of pain. Minor pain may be described as a one or two, while level ten is reserved for the worse pain you have ever felt.

• 2

  Use adjectives to describe your degree of pain. A sudden pain may also be considered a sharp pain or a stabbing pain. Pounding may refer to a headache. Other adjectives to describe pain may include stinging, deep, burning, pressure, tingling and throbbing. You may need to spend some time focusing on the pain in order to determine the best possible description.

• 3

  Find common ground with your doctor. A doctor who has personal experience in giving birth will be able to understand what you mean when you tell her your pain is as intense as labor. Saying your toe feels like it has been stung by a bee, or your back feels like you spent the day digging can create a good word picture for your doctor. Describe pain through common, everyday language.

• 4

  Explain lifestyle changes relating to your pain. Your doctor can discern a lot about your level of pain if he knows you are unable to take your regular evening walks, or that you have difficulty lifting your hands to wash your hair. Sleep disturbances due to pain should be communicated to your doctor. Discuss any interruptions in daily routines caused by your pain.

• 5

  Ask your doctor if he understands the level of pain you are experiencing. Communication is a two way street. Many misunderstandings are resolved when your doctor tells you what he hears you saying. You may need to use a different method if you feel a communication gap exists regarding your degree of pain. Some people respond better to the written word than the spoken word. Create a pain diary using the same descriptive language. Write down what time you felt the pain and what you were doing at the time, as well as the level of intensity. Share this with your doctor to clear up any confusion.

• 6

  Employ the assistance of your doctor's nurse. The nurse often knows the doctor's communication style and can prove to be a useful ally when helping you to describe the level of pain you are experiencing.