A chronic pain tracker helps you keep track of your pain severity levels over time. You can log when your pain starts, daily activities (factors), what makes your pain worse (potential triggers), and what may have helped reduce pain severity (your treatment). Logging this information can help you learn more about your pain and treatment effectiveness.
You can also use a pain-tracking app to share information with your health provider. Your provider will gain additional insights needed to make treatment adjustments quicker leading to better outcomes for you. Lastly, as someone suffering from pain, it can be very difficult to remember everything day-to-day, having a tracker can help you more accurately communicate how you felt on any given day.
Table of Contents
- Medical Conditions That Are Likely to Cause Pain
- How do you treat chronic pain?
- What are the 4 types of pain?
- What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
- What are the responsibilities of a pain coach?
- What’s the best time to track chronic pain?
- What are some things you should track?
- Ways of describing your pain in your pain diary
- Do I need a specific pain tracking app just for my condition or illness?
- What to look for after you record your pain severity
- Other ways of tracking pain
- How does CareClinic help manage your overall pain and wellness?
- Your Pain Management App
Medical Conditions That Are Likely to Cause Pain
There are many different types of chronic pain conditions that can cause chronic pain. Some common examples include:
- Fibromyalgia: Pain caused due to inflammation in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- CRPS: Complex regional pain syndrome, which is a type of chronic pain that often affects one limb after an injury.
- Shoulder bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, which is a small sac of fluid that cushions the shoulder joint.
- Arthritis: Joint pain and inflammation caused by the breakdown of cartilage.
- Migraines: A type of headache that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
- Endometriosis: A condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus, often causing pelvic pain.
- Neuropathy: A type of nerve pain that can occur as a result of diabetes, chemotherapy, or other conditions.
- Spinal stenosis: A condition in which the spinal cord narrows, putting pressure on the nerves.
- Nerve damage: Damage to the nerves caused by an injury, surgery, or another condition.
- Cancer: Pain caused by the tumor pressing on surrounding tissues or nerves.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): A condition characterized by fatigue and other symptoms that can worsen with activity.
- Lupus: An autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain, muscle pain, and fatigue. Lyme disease: An infection caused by a tick bite that can cause joint pain, fatigue, and a rash.
- Shingles: A viral infection that can cause a painful rash.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ): A condition that causes pain in the jaw joint. There are many different types of chronic pain, and each person may experience chronic pain differently. Some people have mild chronic pain, while others have severe chronic pain that interferes with their daily activities.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A condition that damages the nerves and can cause pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.
How do you treat chronic pain?
There are many different types of chronic pain, and the best way to treat it will vary depending on the cause. However, some common treatments for chronic pain include:
- Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve mild pain. For more severe pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications, such as opioids.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the muscles and tissues around the affected area to help relieve pain.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy can help you learn new ways to do everyday activities that don’t aggravate your pain.
- Massage: Massage can help relax the muscles and relieve tension.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at certain points to relieve pain.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a method of training your body to control its response to pain.
- Chiropractic care: Chiropractic care involves adjusting the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Psychological counseling: Psychological counseling can help you manage stress and anxiety, which can worsen the pain.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a condition that is causing chronic pain.
What are the 4 types of pain?
- Nociceptive pain: This is the most common type of pain and is caused by tissue damage. It can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
- Neuropathic pain: This type of pain is caused by damage to the nervous system. It can be either acute or chronic.
- Inflammatory pain: This type of pain is caused by inflammation. It can be either acute or chronic.
- Psychogenic pain: This type of pain is caused by psychological factors. It can be either acute or chronic.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is the most common type of pain. It is usually short-term and goes away on its own. Chronic pain is long-term and can last for weeks, months, or even years. It can be caused by an underlying health condition or injury.
What is nonmalignant pain?
Non-malignant pain is any type of pain that is not caused by cancer. It can be acute or chronic, and it can vary in severity. Non-malignant pain can be caused by several things, including injuries, diseases, and conditions. Treatment for non-malignant pain typically includes medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Some people with chronic non-malignant pain may also require psychological support to help them cope with their pain.
What are the responsibilities of a pain coach?
A pain coach is a healthcare professional who helps people with chronic pain manage their condition. A pain coach can help you develop a pain management plan, track your progress, and make lifestyle changes to help you cope with your pain. A pain coach can also provide support and guidance when you are dealing with your pain flare-ups and pain triggers. CareClinic is recommended by pain coaches as a way to track your pain management plan which allows you to record your pain levels and helps with tracking symptoms of pain so you can return back to normal life.
What is a pain management plan?
A pain management plan is a personalized plan to help you cope with your chronic pain. The plan may include medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and other coping strategies. A pain management plan is developed by you and your health care team and should be reviewed and updated as needed. Your entire pain management can be saved as a “Care Plan” within CareClinic and tracked using the many Trackers that come with CareClinic to ensure you have a positive outcome.
What’s the best time to track chronic pain?
Some people find it helpful to track their pain every day, while others may only need to track it once a week or even less often. It’s important to find a tracking method that works for you. You may also want to consider tracking your pain in different ways at different times. For example, you may want to keep a pain diary to track your pain over time. Or you may want to use the CareClinic pain tracker app on your phone to track your pain at the moment.
The benefits of tracking mean that your doctor can:
- More accurately diagnose your condition
- Develop a more personalized treatment plan after identifying triggers
- Monitor your symptom response to treatments
- Evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments
What are some things you should track?
There are many different things you can track when it comes to chronic pain. Some important things to track include:
- The location of your pain
- The severity of your pain (on a scale of 1-10) using the pain scale
- When your pain is at its worst
- What makes your pain better or worse
- What other symptoms you’re experiencing (e.g., fatigue, anxiety, depression)
- The type of pain you are experiencing
- The pain intensity of the episode
- What exacerbates your pain
- What relieves your pain
- How long the pain lasts
- Whether the pain is constant or comes and goes
Ways of describing your pain in your pain diary
There are many different ways to describe the pain you may be experiencing in the CareClinic app when journaling. Some common terms include:
Characteristics of pain
Pain can be described in terms of its characteristics, such as:
Pain Intensity: This refers to how strong the pain is.
Quality: This refers to the type of pain, such as sharp, dull, or throbbing.
Pain Duration: This refers to how long the pain lasts.
Pain Location: This refers to where the pain is located in the body.
Pain Pattern: This refers to how the pain comes and goes.
Precipitating factors: This refers to what makes the pain worse.
Pain Relieving factors: This refers to what makes the pain better.
CareClinic’s pain tracker can help you keep track of all these important factors through the pain scale built into the App. You can then also find resultant patterns and discuss these with your doctor to gain more insight and possible solutions.
Ways of describing what your pain feels like
- Aching means a dull, constant pain
- Burning means a sharp, searing pain
- Cramping means a sharp, intermittent pain
- Tingling means a prickling sensation
- Numbness means a loss of sensation
- Shooting means a sharp, shooting pain
- Throbbing means a pounding or throbbing sensation
- Nagging means a persistent, annoying pain
- Severe means a very intense pain
- Sore means a tender or aching pain
- Tender means a gentle touch causes pain
Which events can cause my pain to worsen?
Many things can make the pain worse. As an example, changes in weather such as barometric pressure affect some types of pain. You can also cause your pain to worsen with exercise by pulling a muscle or stretching a ligament. Poor posture can also lead to muscle strain and worsen the pain. Some other things that can make pain worse include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Poor nutrition
Be sure to record all events in your pain tracker to keep an accurate account to show your healthcare provider.
Do I need a specific pain tracking app just for my condition or illness?
There are many pain apps available but, you can use any type of chronic pain app, including the CareClinic app, to track your pain. This is because all types of pain share certain characteristics, such as location, quality, and intensity. You can use CareClinic app to track any type of pain, whether it’s acute or chronic.
What to look for after you record your pain severity
You should look for patterns in your pain after you’ve been tracking it for a while. If you have been tracking your pain over time, you may have noticed some patterns emerging. You also may have been journaling and including other important information about your pain, such as when it started, how long it lasted, what made it better or worse, and anything else you think is important. All of this information can help you and your doctor determine what’s causing your pain and the best way to treat it. You can also use your diary to journal about anything else that may be bothering you such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
Other ways of tracking pain
Why is a digital app better than a printable pdf?
There are several reasons why a digital app is better than a printable PDF. First, a digital app is more portable and can be accessed
What about a spreadsheet template in Microsoft excel that can be printable?
A spreadsheet in Excel can be used to track your pain, but it is not as user-friendly as the CareClinic app. The app is designed specifically for tracking pain, and it includes features that are not available in Excel, such as the ability to track patterns and predict future flare-ups. Additionally, the app is more portable and can be accessed on your phone, tablet, or computer. However, if you are still interested in an excel spreadsheet, try downloading the pain log template here in PDF or here in xlsx format.
Can it work as a bullet journal?
Yes, the CareClinic app can be used as a bullet journal. A bullet journal offers a way to track many different aspects of your life, including your pain. The CareClinic app can be used to track your pain severity, frequency, and duration. You can also use the app to journal about your pain, track other symptoms, and identify patterns. By doing this, you can gain a better understanding of your pain and how to manage it.
What is hobonichi weeks pain tracker?
The Hobonichi Weeks pain tracker is a Japanese-style planner that can be used to track your pain. The planner has space to record your pain level, as well as other symptoms, daily. The Hobonichi Weeks pain tracker can be a helpful tool in managing your pain. However, it is important to note that the tracker does not have the same features as the CareClinic app, and it cannot be used to predict future flare-ups.
Using a pain chart
A pain chart is a graphical representation of your pain over time. It can be used to track the severity, frequency, and duration of your pain. It can also be used to identify patterns in your pain. The CareClinic app includes a pain chart that you can use to track your pain.
Using a CRPS pain scale
The CRPS pain scale is a numeric rating scale that is used to measure the severity of pain in people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst possible pain. The CRPS pain scale can be used to track the severity of your pain over time. The faces pain scale is similar in that it is a visual analog scale that uses a picture of a happy face and a sad face to represent the severity of pain.
Quality of life with pain (QOL)
To get a more holistic view of how your pain is impacting your life, you may also want to consider tracking your quality of life. This can be done with a quality-of-life questionnaire, which you can fill out on your own, in the app (along with other Health Assessments) or with help from your doctor.
The questions will ask you about how your pain is impacting different areas of your life, such as your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy leisure activities. There are many different quality-of-life questionnaires available, but the Short Form 36 (SF-36) is one of the most commonly used. The SF-36 includes 36 questions that are grouped into 8 different sections. The first four sections focus on physical health, and the second half focuses on mental health.
Avoiding the terrible triad
The terrible triad is a term that is used to describe the combination of chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. This combination can be very debilitating and make it difficult to manage your pain.
How does CareClinic help manage your overall pain and wellness?
CareClinic can also help you track your medication, physical activity, and sleep. By tracking these factors, you can get a better understanding of how they impact your pain. You can also use the app to set goals and reminders for yourself to take your medications, record symptoms, and even health measurements such as your vitals.
What does the factors tracker do?
If you have a chronic illness chances are there are many factors that you want to track, such as environmental factors, weather, chores, your menstrual cycle, and others. The factors tracker is a quick way to tap and select factors that are posted to your pain log alongside your pain severity, the type of pain and time so you have a better account of what happened that day.
Does it integrate into apple health or google fit?
The CareClinic app integrates with Apple Health or Google Fit. This allows you to import your physical activity, sleep, weight and other measurements posted directly into CareClinic.
Has the FDA approved any pain tracker apps?
There are no FDA-approved pain tracker apps at this time. However, the CareClinic app is a valuable tool that can help you track your pain. The app has been designed with input from pain specialists and is based on proven pain tracking methods.
What does the Pain foundation recommend?
The Pain Foundation recommends the use of a pain tracker app, such as the CareClinic app, to track your pain. The app can help you identify patterns in your pain and better manage your overall pain.
Mental Health
Coping with your mental health and pain can be difficult. You may find it hard to keep track of your pain, as well as your mental health. The CareClinic app can help
Managing pain medications, daily or as needed
Managing pain medications can be difficult. You have to keep track of when to take them, how much to take them, and what the side effects are. CareClinic with its built-in alarm notifications can help you keep track of your medication schedule and dosages. You may be taking medication for other reasons as well, so being able to see all your medications in one place can be helpful. CareClinic can easily handle the medications below that are commonly used to manage pain.
1. Acetaminophen
2. Ibuprofen
3. Aspirin
4. Naproxen
5. Celebrex
6. Tramadol
7. Oxycodone
8. Hydrocodone
9. Morphine
10. Fentanyl
There are some things people need to do to make sure they take their pain medication correctly. One of the biggest challenges is making sure that patients take their medication as prescribed. Patients may forget to take their medication, or they may not be able to afford it. Another challenge is managing side effects. Some pain medications can cause serious side effects, including addiction and overdose. It is important to work with a pain specialist to ensure that you are taking the best medication for your individual needs.
What are the general guidelines for taking pain medication?
There are a few general guidelines that you should follow when taking pain medication. First, always take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Secondly, do not drink alcohol while taking pain medication. Thirdly, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking pain medication. Finally, be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, as they may interact with the pain medication.
Your Pain Management App
CareClinic helps chronic pain patients manage their overall pain by tracking their pain, medications, physical activity, and sleep. CareClinic integrates with Apple Health or Google Fit, which allows you to import your symptoms, physical activity, sleep, weight, and other measurements directly into the app or they can still be inputted manually.
The app has been designed with input from pain specialists and is based on proven pain-tracking methods for all chronic pain patients. The Pain Foundation recommends the use of a pain tracker app, such as the CareClinic app, to track your pain. The app can help you identify patterns in your pain and better manage your overall pain. Install the app from the Apple App Store for iPhones (iOS) or download the app from the Google Play Store for Android by clicking here.
