The symptoms of pain can be very confusing. Sometimes pain is constant, while other times it comes in waves, or gradually worsens. Are we expected to live with chronic pain and wait for it to subside, or should we take a more active role in pain relief? Sometimes the pain will persist and other times the pain indicates a severe injury. So how do you know when your pain symptoms warrant a trip to the doctor?

When you visit your doctor, he or she will first ask you to describe your pain symptoms. It’s good to monitor yourself and keep a journal of pain symptoms before your appointment so you can get the most accurate diagnosis. You can use words like “dull” and “aching” for steady, constant pain or “shooting,” “sharp” and “electrical” for sudden, intense pain. Is your pain stabbing, throbbing, tingling or radiating? On a scale of 1-10, how bad is it? You should write down how long the pain lasted, if it changed throughout the day, where it started, if it radiated and what you did that either worked to ease the pain or worsened the pain.

When you experience pain symptoms, there are several self-help tactics to try. Be sure to record your efforts and the effectiveness in detail to show your doctor. Try eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and vitamin supplements. Be sure that you are getting at least thirty minutes of exercise three times a week (or more), even if it’s just walking or aquatic therapy. Try to avoid caffeine after 3pm and be sure to get a good night of rest by adhering to a set schedule.

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