A pain assessment is a process in which healthcare professionals evaluate pain to determine its possible causes. A pain assessment may be completed by many professionals, including:

• Physicians
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Nurses
• Physical therapists 
• Occupational therapists
• Chiropractors
• Acupuncturists

A pain assessment is usually composed of two main parts – questions or discussion of the pain and a physical examination. The assessment often includes evaluation of physical, mental and emotional factors possibly associated with the pain. A review of the patient’s medical history generally precedes the assessment.

The questions of an assessment focus on obtaining as much information as possible from the patient regarding his or her pain. The patient may be asked to describe the pain according to:

• Date of onset
• Location and symptoms
• Type and severity
• Conditions that make pain worse or better
• Changes over time
• Past treatments and response
• Possible causes

The examiner may use a diagram to help the patient indicate the location of the pain. Tools such as a pain scale using numbers may be used to help quantify the pain.

In the physical examination, the healthcare professional will assess the primary site of the pain as well as other areas. In addition to a general examination of the body and its functions, the examination may include a more detailed inspection of:

• Limbs, joints and muscles for movement problems
• Body mechanics, posture and ergonomics
• Skin for bruising, lesions or infection
• Nerve responses
• Sensitivity to pressure

If the cause of pain cannot be determined by a physical examination alone, numerous diagnostic tests ranging from blood tests to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are available to help physicians pinpoint the cause of pain. Identifying its source can help physicians determine the most effective treatment method.

In some instances, the cause of pain may be difficult to identify. In some cases, the pain may be acute (sudden), whereas in other cases it may be chronic (long-term). Obtaining accurate information during assessment is an important step in determining the potential causes of pain and identifying the best possible treatments.

Pain is often the result of an injury, condition or disease. Some pain, especially when it occurs suddenly, may indicate a medical emergency. Patients should seek medical treatment immediately if pain is:

• Severe, sudden and sharp
• Accompanied by fever
• Accompanied by vomiting blood or bloody diarrhea
• Accompanied by joint swelling or limited range of motion
• Accompanied by numbness or tingling in any extremity

It is especially important to seek immediate help if the pain is a possible sign of an emergency such as a heart attack, stroke or ruptured aneurysm - for example, chest pain that spreads through the upper body, blinding headache or sudden and severe back pain.