| Minor
Does not interfere with most activities. Able to adapt to pain psychologically and with OTC medicine. |
1 Very mild | Very light barely noticeable pain, like a mosquito bite. |
| 2 Discomforting | Minor pain, like pinching skin. | |
| 3 Tolerable | Noticeable pain but able to adapt to it. Feels like an accidental cut. | |
| Moderate
Interfered with many activities. Requires lifestyle changes but patient remains independent. Unable to adapt to pain. Pain Medication often prescribed at this time. |
4 Distressing | Strong deep pain, like a toothache, or minor trauma such as stubbing your toe really hard. |
| 5 Very distressing | Strong, deep piercing pain, such as sprained ankle, mild back pain. Normal lifestyle is interrupted. | |
| 6 Intense | Strong pain that partially dominates your senses. Affects your clear thinking. | |
| Severe
Unable to engage in normal activities. Patient is disabled and unable to function independently. |
7 Very intense | Comparable to migraine headache. Pain dominates your senses and you are unable to think clearly 50% of the time. |
| 8 Utterly Horrible | Cannot think clearly at all. Severe personality change if pain persists. Comparable to childbirth or kidney stones. | |
| 9 Excruciating unbearable | Cannot tolerate pain anymore. No more joy in life. Comparable to cancer. | |
| 10 Unimaginable | Pain causes spells of unconsciousness. Severe accident or trauma. |
Click here for a link to a printable version of the Comparative Pain Scale
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