| Question |
What to think about |
Where is the pain?
|
- Is it in one part of the body or more?
- Does it start in one place and spread during the day?
|
What’s the pain like?
|
- What words best describe the pain?
- Is it a dull ache or throb?
- Is it a sharp, stabbing pain?
- Is it more like a burning feeling or pins and needles?
|
How bad is the pain?
|
- How does the pain compare with pain you have had before – for example, period pain, headache, a sports injury or childbirth?
- How would you rate the pain on a scale of 1–10 (where 10 is the worst pain you can imagine)?
- Does the pain keep you awake or wake you up at night?
|
| Does anything make the pain get better? |
- Do you feel more comfortable if you sit or lie in one position?
- Does a hot water bottle or ice pack help?
- Does the pain get better if you take a painkiller like paracetamol?
- Can you distract yourself with music or a good book?
|
| Does anything make the pain worse? |
- Does it hurt more if you are moving around or sitting in a particular position?
|
Is the pain there all the time?
|
- Does the pain come and go?
- Is the pain worse at night?
|
