Pain Scales Help Arthritis Patients Rate Their Level of Pain

Pain scales help arthritis patients rate their level of pain so it can be communicated to their doctor, other health professionals, or even family and friends. It's a self-reported pain level so many patients are leery about its "accuracy." Some patients will say "What does a 4 feel like?" or express uncertainty about the whole pain scale concept. It's a somewhat valid point. What I might call a 7, you might say is a 3. The value still comes in comparing your ratings. If you say this week your pain is a 4 and next week you say your pain is a 6, that shows worsening of arthritis symptoms.

Go to our forum and comment on your experience with pain scales. Does your doctor use one? Are you uneasy about rating your pain or do you understand the value of using pain scales? There are different types of pain scales -- verbal, numerical, and visual pain scales. Let's see how they are similar and how they are different in Pain Scales Help Arthritis Patients Rate Their Level of Pain.

Related Resources:

• The Pain Relief Quiz
• Guide to Arthritis Pain
• Ways to Manage Your Pain
• 10 Ways to Increase Your Pain Level
• Do Arthritis Patients Vary in Pain Perception?

Share Your Experiences:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photo by Yunus Arakon (iStockphoto)}