Assessment of pain in physical therapy

Abstract

Based on past reports on measurement and examination methods of pain assessment, this review especially introduces the assessment applicable to physical therapy treatment. The purposes of the assessment consist of 1) to know patient's complain objectively, 2) to examine the cause of pain, and 3) to measure the disorder degree of algesthesia function (pain threshold). For knowing patient's complain, pain should be analyzed by its degree, character, change with time and area. The cause of pain is examined by specification of tender points and pain induction by correction of posture or joint movements. As a measurement method of pain threshold, mechanical stimulus method, temperature stimulus method, chemical stimulus method, and electrical stimulus method are described. © 2000, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.