Talking to Your Doctor About Your Chronic Pain

When it comes to back and neck pain, there are few definitive tests that can accurately measure and diagnose it. Using an objective testing method such as an MRI or CT scan is a start, but certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Pain levels fluctuate, in terms of timing, intensity, and quality. Objective methods make it difficult to get a true picture of what someone with chronic pain experiences on a day-to-day basis.

Preparing for the important conversation with your doctor becomes a big responsibility. You have to let your doctor know all about the pain you are experiencing. One thing that can help is keeping a pain journal for a couple weeks leading up to the appointment. There are some important bits of information your doctor will need to understand during the diagnostic process. Keeping a journal will ensure you arrive at your appointment prepared and ready to present detailed, accurate information.

Describe the pain

The quality of your pain may mean something about what is causing it. Try to be as descriptive as possible when describing the pain you are feeling. Make sure to share if it is aching, burning, stabbing, throbbing, sharp, dull, cramping, “electrical,” etc. The more descriptive and accurate you can be, the better your doctor will understand the circumstances of your pain.

Pinpoint the location of your pain

It is also important to point out or explain exactly where you are feeling the pain. Sometimes, where you are feeling the pain may not be exactly where it is coming from. If a nerve root is damaged, pain may radiate down an arm or leg. But the arm or leg may not be the problem. If you have trigger points, you may experience pain in an area that seems unrelated to the site of the problem.

Note when the pain occurs

It is also important to clarify the time of your pain. Note if it comes on suddenly or slowly over time, and if it is constantly present or only sometimes. Note if the pain is worse in the morning or at night. Also note if it gets better or worse after doing a specific activity such as sitting, standing, laying down, or walking.

Discuss how pain impacts your daily life

It is also important to let your doctor know if there are certain things you cannot do anymore because of the pain. If you can no longer take the stairs or if sleep has become troublesome, your doctor will want to know these things.

Be sure to also let your doctor know if your pain is causing you any mental or emotional stress. The inability to perform certain tasks or activities can take a heavy toll on chronic pain sufferers, and conditions like depression and anxiety are common. By sharing these issues with your doctor, they can make sure a mental health component is included in your treatment plan.

Be open and honest

No matter which topic you are discussing with your doctor, do not hold anything back. Many people do not share the whole story about their health condition due to shame, embarrassment, or fear. This is a mistake, however. Your doctor wants to help you, not judge you. But they may not be able to diagnose correctly or provide the best possible care if certain details are withheld.

Talking about your health can be a difficult task. But your doctor’s office is a safe place where you should feel confident about opening up and sharing all you can.

Keeping your pain journal

Keeping a chronic pain journal will help you describe your symptoms to your doctor so they can more easily come up with a treatment plan for you. There are a variety of interventional therapies for people who suffer from acute or persistent pain. Narrowing down what caused your pain can help your appointment go smoothly.

Pain management providers are highly trained in diagnosing what is causing chronic pain and prescribing a care plan to help provide relief. But they need your personal input about your experiences in order to arrive at the best possible treatment recommendations. Preparing ahead of time to give them the most accurate and thorough feedback can go a long way in arriving at the best outcomes.

The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.

Last updated September 6, 2023.