Tests and Diagnosis
Questionnaires — Making Pain Measurable
Doctors use standardized questionnaires to objectively assess your pain and its impact on daily life:
| Questionnaire | What It Measures | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| VAS (Visual Analog Scale) | Pain intensity | A 0–10 rating. Simple and widely used |
| ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) | Impact on daily life | Evaluates 10 areas (walking, sitting, sleeping, etc.). International standard |
| PainDETECT | Neuropathic pain component | Classifies pain type. Also used in SCS evaluation |
| STarT Back | Risk of becoming chronic | Stratifies into low, medium, or high risk. Guides treatment decisions |
There are no "right" or "wrong" answers on these questionnaires. Answer based on how you actually feel — honest responses lead to the most accurate assessment.