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Communicating About Pain

You have a right to have your pain assessed and treated as well as possible. Untreated pain can limit eating, sleeping, and activity. Tell your doctor where and how much you hurt. It may not be possible to relieve all the pain. But your doctor can help you reach a pain level you can live with.

Woman talking to health care provider.

Your role

Tell your doctor about the pain and your health problems. Be sure to:

  • Mention all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicine. It also includes any herbs, teas, or vitamins you take. Be sure to also include any substances, such as marijuana or alcohol.

  • Mention any pain relief methods you use. These may include massage or meditation.

  • Measure pain as directed by your doctor.

  • If your doctor asks you to, keep a diary of your pain. Record the treatments you are using and how well they work. You may also be asked to describe how strong your pain is on a scale of 0 to 10. Zero is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine. Be prepared to do this for your doctor.

  • Follow your treatment plan as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor how your treatment is working.

As pain gets better, you’ll feel better. Less pain means less stress on your body and mind.

Your doctor’s role

Your doctor will help you understand and manage pain. You will be told about your pain control choices. These will most likely include medicines. Choices like physical therapy and acupuncture may also help.

Online Medical Reviewer: Jennifer Ciccone NP
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2025
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