Numeric Pain Scale

Pain Level Description Function Treatment Examples
0 No Pain Normal activity No treatment needed
1-3 Mild Pain Can be ignored OTC medications, rest
4-6 Moderate Pain Interferes with tasks NSAIDs, physical therapy
7-9 Severe Pain Interferes with concentration Prescription pain relief
10 Worst Possible Pain Unable to function Emergency care needed
Ask your patient: "On a scale of 0-10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable, how would you rate your pain?"