The feeling of physical pain varies greatly — mild, sharp, severe, dull. To achieve optimal pain relief results, it is recommended that you learn the symptoms for different types of pain, so you can best describe them to a doctor. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant. Pain is mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry the pain impulses to the brain where their conscious appreciation may be modified by many factors. Pain can be helpful in diagnosing a problem which is why it is important for you to understand the level of pain you are experiencing.
Most doctors refer to a pain scale to help diagnose a patient’s pain level. Pain assessments and scales are an ideal way to communicate with your doctor what you’re feeling and how bad your pain is. They can be a scale from one to ten, with ten being the worst pain imaginable and one being no pain at all. These scales can also rely on visual indicators or facial expressions to judge pain. Mild pain levels generally do not interfere with most day to day activities. Most people are able to adapt to pain psychologically and with medication or devices such as cushions. Mild pain is light barely noticeable pain, similar to a mosquito bite or a poison ivy itch. A person with mild pain is not generally thinking about the pain.
Going ‘topical first’ for mild pain symptoms is always the best course of action. To address your type of pain, visit our Symptom Checker to find the best Salonpas product to relieve your aches and pains, whether the pain is mild or moderate.
Pain does not feel the same for everyone. Describing your pain clearly will help your doctor or nurse find the best treatment for you. Tell your healthcare team where the pain is, what it is like (for example dull, sharp, burning), how bad it is and when it happens. Keeping a pain diary can help you explain your pain to your doctor or nurse.
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