Every September, healthcare organizations across the country observe Pain Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about chronic pain and why it is important to talk openly about it with your healthcare team.
At Greater Family Health, we know that pain can affect every part of your life. Whether it’s a headache that won’t go away, back pain that makes it hard to work, or discomfort from an illness or injury, your pain matters. That is why we ask about it during every visit.
Why Is Pain Important?
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, healthcare providers often refer to pain as the “fifth vital sign.”
You may already be familiar with the four traditional vital signs that are checked during a medical appointment:
- Body temperature
- Pulse (heart rate)
- Breathing rate
- Blood pressure
Pain is considered just as important because it can provide valuable information about your overall health and well-being.
Your Pain Helps Tell the Story
Unlike blood pressure or temperature, pain cannot be measured by a machine. Only you know exactly how you feel.
That is why our care teams take the time to ask about your pain and listen carefully to your answers. Sharing information about your pain can help your provider better understand what is happening in your body and identify health concerns that may need attention.
Sometimes pain can be a sign of conditions such as:
- Infections
- Heart problems
- Muscle and joint conditions
- Nerve disorders
- Other health concerns
By talking about your symptoms, you help us provide the best possible care.
How We Measure Pain
At Greater Family Health, we use the Numeric/Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale to help patients describe how much pain they are experiencing.
Patients are asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where:
- 0 means no pain
- 10 means the worst pain imaginable
The scale also includes facial expressions that make it easier for children and others who may have difficulty describing their pain with words.
To help all patients communicate comfortably, the pain scale is available in:
- English
- Spanish
- Russian
- Ukrainian
Listening to You Is Part of Quality Care
During every visit, our Medical Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants will ask about your pain and record your response as part of your routine health assessment. This helps ensure that your concerns are recognized and addressed by your healthcare team.
At Greater Family Health, we believe that listening is one of the most important parts of providing quality care. When you tell us about your pain, you help us better understand your needs so we can work together to improve your health and well-being.
This Pain Awareness Month, we encourage you to speak openly about your symptoms and concerns. Your voice matters, and understanding your pain is an important step toward helping you feel your best.
