Where Does it Hurt?

Question to expect from your pain management physician
“Where does it hurt?” That simple question has been around for eons in the medical community. For thousands of years, patients have visited their doctor and the doctor asks “Where does it hurt?” Moms too have been asking that very question to their kids year after year since the beginning of time. And the reason everyone is asking that question is to merely figure out how exactly they can help ease the pain. Unfortunately, this modest question doesn’t give enough information that’s required to literally ease the pain. Today, physicians ask a host of additional questions to pinpoint the pain with more accuracy – not just where the pain is, but how intense it is, what type of pain it is, the duration of the pain, and so on. Not only has medicine become highly advanced, the questions pertaining to various pains have become quite complex and it’s all for a good thing.

Questions About Pain from your Physician

When you’re visiting your pain management physician for the first time, what questions can you expect to hear? Will you have the answers? Perhaps, but it might be best prior to your visit to jot as many feelings down as you can regarding your pain symptoms. It’s always important to be thorough in your answers and having some notes in front of you with the doctor can help. To gain a better understanding of the pain, expect some of the following questions:

Location: Yes, where it hurts, but also does it hurt anywhere else? Which leads to the next question.

Radiation: Does the pain move anywhere from the initial spot? Does it “radiate” over a section of your body? Kidney stone pain, for example, can begin in the back, but the pain can radiate towards the side and front of the torso making it difficult to figure out exactly where the pain is coming from.

Quality of Pain: This is where you describe the type of pain you’re feeling. Is it a dull ache, sharp, or a shooting pain? This descriptor helps to identify the type of pain and how to treat it.

Severity of the Pain: On a scale of zero to ten, with ten being the most severe, describe your level of pain currently, at a certain time of day, when moving, etc.

Aggravating And Relieving Factors: What makes it hurt more and what helps to alleviate the pain most? Do you experience certain relief during a particular exercise, hot bath, or coping mindset?

The Time of Pain: How long does it last? Do you experience more pain at a particular time of day or night? Does it come and go or is it constant?

The Pain’s Impact: Does your pain affect your sleep, appetite, or any physical activities? Does it prevent you from having healthy relationships with others? Does it impede your ability to focus and concentrate?

Understand your Pain for a Better Treatment Plan

The questions above are merely a beginning point for you and your doctor in understanding your pain. Other questions may include factors such as burning, numbness or tingling sensations. However, it’s important to describe your pain in multiple ways to help your doctor visualize your pain. By providing as much detailed information about it as possible can ultimately provide you with the best treatment plan.

Contact Michigan Pain Consultants Today

Talk with the professionals at Michigan Pain Consultants today about any of our effective pain management treatments.

Make an appointment for a new patient consultation with one of our board-certified pain physicians. All of Michigan Pain Consultant’s physicians are Board Certified in Anesthesiology or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and have advanced training and experience in Pain Medicine. You can begin first by visiting online at MyLifeBeyondPain.com, MichiganPain.com, or by calling them at (800)281-3237.

With six locations throughout West Michigan, Michigan Pain Consultants comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to pain care offers patients and providers renewed hope for relief from chronic pain. Chronic pain should be treated like other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or congestive heart failure. Chronic pain requires chronic treatment. The goal of the treatment is to optimize the management of the pain, as opposed to curing the pain.