Copyright
© 1998 Head Injury Hotline
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Pain Map
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Pain is more that a physical hurt, it can cause fear and emotional suffering.
The experience of pain is a very personal one, it is different for each
individual. Pain is very difficult to define, and it is one of those
conditions that is poorly understood by medical science. One person
might report an experience of pain that is characterized by unbearable
physical pain, while another individual reports one that is unbearable
emotional pain that is no less excruciating. One person's report
may have to do with a urgent medical condition, while another person might
be complaining of the pain of missing a loved one.
Pain sensors.
Pain sensors connect us to the outside world. They tells us that
we are in danger or that we have been harmed. People with repressed,
or absent pain sensors tend to suffer great injuries. Life is not
a very comfortable experience for them.
The function
of pain is protective it aids in the healing process. When we an
injury, for instance, the accompanying sensation of pain causes us to protect
it until the pain goes away. When an underlying condition is causing
the pain then it becomes necessary to treat the condition to eliminate
the pain. Sometimes pain sensors ago awry and the pain continues
even after healing. The problem with intractable pain is that it
is difficult to treat and more importantly, it gets in the way of the ability
to get on with life.
The patient's
description of pain is essential to the doctor's ability to diagnose.
What
Does Your Pain Feel Like?
Below is a list
of words that might describe your present pain. Use this list in conjunction
with an Anatomical Chart to describe your pain. Also include
in such descriptions the Intensity and
Duration of your pain, see below for rating scales.
Click here to go
to Pain Map below
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| Flickering |
Jumping |
Pricking |
Sharp |
| Quivering |
Flashing |
Boring |
Cutting |
| Pulsing |
Shooting |
Drilling |
Lacerating |
| Throbbing |
Electric like |
Stabbing |
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| Beating |
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| Pounding |
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| Pinching |
Tugging |
Hot |
Tingling |
| Pressing |
Pulling |
Burning |
Itchy |
| Gnawing |
Wrenching |
Scalding |
Smarting |
| Cramping |
Searing |
Stinging |
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| Crushing |
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| Dull |
Tender |
Tiring |
Sickening |
| Sore |
Taut |
Exhausting |
Suffocating |
| Hurting |
Rasping |
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| Aching |
Splitting |
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| Heavy |
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| Fearful |
Punishing |
Wretched |
Annoying |
| Frightening |
Grueling |
Blinding |
Troublesome |
| Terrifying |
Cruel |
Miserable |
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Vicious |
Intense |
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Killing |
Unbearable |
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| Spreading |
Tight |
Cool |
Nagging |
| Radiating |
Numb |
Cold |
Nauseating |
| Penetrating |
Drawing |
Freezing |
Agonizing |
| Piercing |
Squeezing |
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Dreadful |
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Tearing |
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Torturing |
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Intensity Ratings
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| 1. |
Mild - but does not interfere with activities. |
| 5. |
Moderate - present and interferes with activities but not disabling. |
| 10. |
Severe - disabling. Unable to function. |
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Instructions -- Pain Analysis And Mapping
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| 1. |
Refer to an Anatomical Chart, list each different location of
your pain. |
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For each location, indicate the date on which you first noticed the
pain. |
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Pain description. Use the list above to describe what your pain
feels like. |
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Pain intensity. Use the intensity ratings scale above to rate your
pain. |
| 5. |
Overall interference of pain with life:
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| Work |
School |
Social Activities |
| Childcare |
Relationships |
Sports and Exercise |
| Sex |
Household responsibilities |
Other |
Refer to the intensity ratings scale above to rate this category. |
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Describe things that increase your pain such as physical activities. |
| 7. |
Describe things that decrease your pain, such as lying down, heating
pad, medication, etc. |
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source: Kresch
Pain Map & Analysis |
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American
Chronic Pain Association -- P.O.
Box 850, Rocklin, CA. 95677 916-632-0922. Information,
referrals and support groups |
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The Chronic Pain page on the Health Communication Resources
site at Emerson College/Tufts University School of Medicine has a
comprehensive section on chronic pain that provides useful short descriptions
and links to relevant Internet sites in the areas of disease awareness
campaigns, support for patients, facts and research, organizations, and
publications.
url: http://www.emerson.edu/ |
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Bill
Levinger, M.D.- Pain Management, 10 years in Family Practice
and E.R. Medicine, and then Anesthesia training and Board Certification.
780 S. 14th St, Boise, ID 83702, Telephone:
208- 880-6058 |
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Dr. H. Hooshmand, M.D.,
Neurological Assoc Pain Management Ctr and Assoc, 1255 37th Street, Suite
B, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 - Speciality Chronic Pain, and Lightning
Strike and Electric Shock injuries - Phone: 772-770-9339 - Fax:
772-770-5660 - url: http://www.rsdrx.com/electrical_injuries.htm |
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Center for Neurology,
Behavioral Neurology and Pain Management d.b.a. SHCC --
email: info@siddiqui.neurohub.net -- url: http://siddiqui.neurohub.net/welcome.html |
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Pain Control, on the
Healthtouch site provides the complete text of lay education publications
from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke on
topics related to chronic pain, cancer pain treatment, pain control after
surgery, headaches and migraines, and back pain.
url:
http://www.healthtouch.com/ |
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Headache
-- Information on and links to resources -- url: http://www.headinjury.com/linksha.htm |
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Vision --
Information on and links to resources -- url: http://www.headinjury.com/vision.htm |
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National
Institutes of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Consensus Statement, October 1998. Print it from the internet, or request
your free copy by toll-free telephone 888-644-2667.
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brain@headinjury.com
Bill
Levinger, MD