Understanding Your Pain Scale
The 0-10 pain scale is more nuanced than you think. Learn how to accurately report pain for better treatment.
Written by the Move8 physiotherapy team
After each session, you rate your pain on a 0-10 scale. But what do those numbers actually mean?
The NRS (Numeric Rating Scale):
- 0 — No pain at all
- 1-3 — Mild pain. Noticeable but doesn't interfere with activities
- 4-6 — Moderate pain. Interferes with some activities
- 7-9 — Severe pain. Significantly limits function
- 10 — Worst pain imaginable
Why accurate reporting matters:
Your therapist uses pain trends to adjust your program. If pain is consistently rising, they may reduce intensity. If it's dropping, the program is working.
Important: A temporary increase in pain when starting a new exercise phase is normal. But pain that gets progressively worse is a red flag — always report this.
This article is educational and does not replace a medical diagnosis or advice from your physiotherapist.