Pain Scale

source Mankoski Pain Scale

	0	No pain. Feeling perfectly normal.
Minor Able to adapt to pain	1 Very Mild	Very light barely noticeable pain, occasional twinges, no medication needed.
	2 Discomforting	Minor pain, like pinching a fold of skin, occasional strong twinges, no medication needed.
	3 Tolerable	Very noticeable pain, annoying enough to be distracting, over the counter (OTC) medication needed.
Moderate Interferes with many activities	4 Distressing	Strong deep pain, like an average toothache, can be ignored if one is very focused on a task. OTC pain reliever may be necessary.
	5 Very Distressing	Strong deep piercing pain, cannot be ignored for more than 30 minutes. OTC pain reliever may reduce pain for 3 to 4 hours.
	6 Intense	Strong deep piercing pain cannot be ignored however one may be able to work or attend social events. Narcotic pain relievers (Codeine, Vicodin) may be effective every 3 to 4 hours.
Severe Patient is disabled and unable to function independently	7 Very intense	It is difficult to concentrate or sleep; can still function with effort. Stronger narcotic pain relievers are only partially effective. Stronger pain relievers relieve pain (Oxycontin, Morphine).
	8 Utterly Horrible	Physical activity severely limited; can read and converse with effort. Nausea and dizziness set in as factors of pain. Stronger pain relievers are minimally effective. Stronger pain relievers reduce pain for 3 to 4 hours.
	9 Excruciating, unbearable	Unable to speak. Crying and moaning uncontrollably - near delirium. Strongest pain relievers only partially effective.
	10 Unimaginably unbearable	Unconscious; pain causes passing out. Strongest pain relievers only partially effective.