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Shellie A.B. Christensen, Ph.D.

PAIN DESCRIPTOR LIBRARY LAUNCHES IN NAVIGATE PAIN

Updated: Oct 19, 2021

Tracking multiple pain types

Navigate Pain launched a new feature to track multiple sensations or pain types on a body chart over time.  Adding more pain descriptors was inspired by our users and scientific research.  The newly added pain descriptors bring us one step closer to a complete picture of their pain.


Imagine a person complaining of low back pain.  Indeed, pain in the lower back is just a location on the body and is somewhat inaccurate.  Pain descriptors such as shooting, dull-aching or stabbing combined with a well-localized or radiating pain drawing can improve clinical understanding and facilitate pain management.  In clinical research settings, pain descriptors are known as pain qualities and can help clarify pain sources. For more information about the usefulness of pain descriptors, check out Why Assessing Pain Qualities Matter.’


A wide selection of pain descriptors

Navigate Pain offers a wide selection of pain descriptors. Also, these pain descriptors are ranked as mild, moderate or severe and mapped directly on the pain chart.   The ranking and the associated area on the body are automatically quantified and viewable over time.  Tracking multiple sensations or types of pain over time creates an intelligent starting point, especially for patients with acute pain. Tracking and showing a patient their progress can be gratifying for the patient and their clinician.


flow diagram of how to create a pain drawing in Navigate Pain on a body chart
Creating a drawing in Navigate Pain in three simple steps. Choose a descriptor, an intensity, and then draw.

Pain chart creation 1-2-3

When patients create a pain chart, they begin by (1) choosing a pain descriptor, such as stabbing, tingling or numbness.  Immediately after, the patient must choose (2) the pain level (mild, moderate, or severe).  The patient can then (3) draw in the areas of their pain according to the selected pain type and level.  In Navigate Pain, a pain descriptor and pain level are shown with a unique colour, so the relation between the pain types and level is apparent.  Moreover, the relationship between pain types is easy to view through ‘Navigate Pain’s unique pain assessment chart functions

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