Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care—yet it’s also one of the most difficult sensations to describe. It’s subjective, deeply personal, and often hard to articulate in words. That’s where pain scales come in.
According to Jordan Sudberg, a renowned pain management specialist, pain scales are essential tools that help bridge the communication gap between patients and providers. “Pain is invisible,” he explains. “Without a reliable way to measure and describe it, treatment becomes guesswork. Pain scales give both patient and doctor a common language.”
In this post, we’ll explore what pain scales are, how to use them effectively, and why Jordan Sudberg recommends incorporating them into every medical conversation about chronic or acute pain.
What Are Pain Scales?
Pain scales are standardized tools used by healthcare professionals to assess the intensity, quality, and impact of pain. They help transform a subjective experience into measurable data that can guide diagnosis and treatment.
There are several types of pain scales, including:
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS): A 0 to 10 scale where 0 means “no pain” and 10 is “the worst pain imaginable.”
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS): A line or slider where patients indicate their pain level visually.
- Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale: Uses facial expressions to depict increasing levels of pain, often used for children or patients with communication challenges.
- Brief Pain Inventory (BPI): Assesses both pain intensity and how pain interferes with daily function.
- McGill Pain Questionnaire: Measures both intensity and quality (throbbing, burning, stabbing, etc.) of pain.
Jordan Sudberg emphasizes that no single scale fits every situation, but using one consistently can dramatically improve the quality of care.
Why Pain Scales Matter
Without a common metric, patients often struggle to explain their pain, and doctors are left to interpret vague descriptions like “it hurts a lot” or “it comes and goes.” That lack of clarity can delay diagnosis, complicate treatment, or even result in inadequate pain relief.
“Pain is complex,” says Sudberg. “But if we can measure it, even imperfectly, we can manage it more effectively.”
Pain scales also allow providers to track progress over time, evaluate how well a treatment is working, and make informed adjustments. “If your pain was a 7 last month and is a 4 today, that tells us we’re headed in the right direction,” Sudberg explains.
How to Use Pain Scales Effectively
Using a pain scale might seem simple, but there are a few important tips to keep in mind for accuracy and clarity:
1. Be Honest, Not Heroic
Some patients downplay their pain to avoid seeming dramatic. Others exaggerate out of frustration or desperation. “The scale only works if you’re truthful,” says Sudberg. “This isn’t about being tough—it’s about being accurate.”
2. Use the Same Scale Consistently
If you tell your doctor that your pain is a “6” on one visit and a “5” the next, they need to trust that your numbers are based on the same understanding. Choose a pain scale and stick with it unless advised otherwise.
3. Describe the Pain’s Impact
A number alone is helpful, but pairing it with a description of how pain affects your day can offer critical context. For example, saying, “It’s a 7, and I can’t sleep or focus at work,” paints a much fuller picture.
4. Note the Variability
Pain is rarely constant. Let your doctor know how your pain changes during the day, after certain activities, or in response to medication. Jordan Sudberg encourages patients to keep a pain diary to capture patterns.
Pain Scales in Chronic vs. Acute Pain Management
Dr. Sudberg works with both chronic pain patients and those recovering from injuries or surgeries. He notes that pain scales can be especially useful in chronic conditions, where the goal is long-term management rather than complete elimination.
“In chronic pain care, small improvements matter,” he says. “If someone with daily pain goes from a 9 to a 6, that’s significant progress—and it deserves recognition and further support.”
With acute pain (like post-operative or injury-related pain), pain scales help monitor whether healing is occurring as expected or if complications are developing.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Pain Heard
Pain shouldn’t be a mystery—and it doesn’t have to be. Using a pain scale allows you to participate actively in your care, provide actionable information to your doctor, and track your progress toward relief.
Jordan Sudberg encourages every patient to see pain scales not just as a medical formality, but as an essential communication tool. “Your doctor wants to help,” he says. “The clearer you are about your pain, the better we can treat it.”
In the end, the pain scale is more than just a number—it’s your voice in the room. And when used properly, it can be the first step toward healing.