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Pain Evaluation Chart

Your pain can be controlled using acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Motrin®,Advil®). Nonmedication therapies, such as ice may also be effective. For severe pain that is keeping you from moving and sleeping, an opioid may be needed. By day 4, most people report no severe pain after an operation. Pain from the surgical incision is usually gone in 7 to 10 days. 

How Intense Is My Pain?

What Can I Take to Feel Better

Most Common Therapies
  • I hardly notice my pain, and it does not interfere with my activities.

  • I notice my pain and it distracts me, but I can still do activities (sitting up, walking, standing).

Non-medication Therapies & Non-opioid, Oral Medications

  • Take as needed when you feel pain.

  • These help to decrease pain and swelling (inflammation)

Non-medication Therapies

  • Ice, elevation, rest, meditation, massage, distraction (music, TV, play) walking and mild exercise

  • Splinting the abdomen with pillows

Non-opioid Medication

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) Aspirin, Ibuprofen(Motrin®, Advil®) Naproxen (Aleve®)
  • My pain is hard to ignore and is more noticeable even when I rest.

  • My pain interferes with my usual activities.

Non-medication Therapy & Non-opioid, Oral Medication

Take these on a regular schedule

Take Non-opioid Medication

On a regular schedule instead of as needed. (Ex: Tylenol® every 6 hours at 9 am, 3 pm, 9 pm, 3 am and Motrin® every 6 hours and 12 am, 6 am, 12 pm, 6 pm)
  • I am focused on my pain, and I am not doing my daily activities.

  • I am groaning in pain, and I cannot sleep. I am unable to do anything.

  • My pain is as bad as it could be, and nothing else matters.

Non-medication Therapy & Non-opioid, oral medication

  • Take these on a regular schedule

Short-acting Opioids

  • Take for a few days and decrease/stop as soon as possible

Opioids block pain and give a feeling of euphoria (feel high). Addiction, a serious side effect of opioids, is rare with short term use.

Examples of short-acting opioids include: Tramadol (Ultram®), Hydrocodone (Norco®, Vicodin®), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®).