How to describe pain to your doctor

Where: the exact location

Point to the most painful spot rather than gesturing at a vague area. Say whether the pain stays in one place or travels ("radiates") — for example from a shoulder down the arm.

• The precise starting point of the pain.
• Whether it radiates, and where to.
• Whether it is on the surface (skin) or deep.
• Whether it is on one side or both.

How much: intensity out of 10

Clinicians use a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst imaginable). Giving yourself a number helps track changes and measure whether a treatment is working.

Note the intensity at different moments too: at rest, on movement, at night. Pain that wakes you at night does not carry the same weight as pain only on exertion.

What kind: the type of pain

The character of the pain is a valuable clue. Look for the word that best matches the sensation.

• Burning, tingling, electric shock (often points to a nerve).
• Tightness, heaviness, a vice-like grip (often muscular or in the chest).
• Throbbing, pulsating (in time with the heartbeat).
• Cramping, twisting, colicky (coming in waves).
• Stiffness, pulling (joints, tendons).

When: timing and triggers

The timeline tells a story. Say how long you have had the pain, how it started (sudden or gradual), and what makes it worse or better.

• How long: a few hours, days, weeks?
• Constant, or in flare-ups? How often, and for how long?
• What makes it worse: movement, position, meals, stress, cold?
• What relieves it: rest, heat, a medicine, a position?

Signs to always mention

Some features accompanying pain are worth mentioning unprompted, because they change how it is managed.

• Fever, weight loss, night sweats.
• Pain that wakes you or stops you sleeping.
• Loss of strength, numbness, pins and needles.
• Impact on daily life: work, sleep, mood.

Prepare your description in advance

Writing down these four markers — where, how much, what kind, when — before the appointment keeps you from forgetting the essentials once you are in the room. Parato helps you structure this description and share it clearly with your doctor, without ever replacing their assessment. For sudden, severe pain (chest, head, abdomen), do not prepare anything: call your country's emergency number.