
Pain severity scales
Pain severity scales are tools used to measure how much pain someone is experiencing. They often involve rating pain on a scale from 0 to 10 or 0 to 100, where 0 means no pain and higher numbers indicate more intense pain. Some scales use descriptive terms like "mild," "moderate," or "severe" alongside numbers. These scales help healthcare providers understand the pain level, monitor changes over time, and decide on appropriate treatments. They rely on personal reports, as pain is subjective, but provide a standardized way to communicate and manage pain effectively.