Pain Assessment for Physiotherapy

Understanding pain is the foundation of effective physiotherapy treatment. At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5 Faridabad, Dr. Vaishali Suri conducts in-depth pain assessments to identify what is causing your pain and what factors are maintaining it.

What Is a Physiotherapy Pain Assessment?

A physiotherapy pain assessment is a structured evaluation of your pain experience. It goes beyond asking "where does it hurt?" to explore the quality, behaviour, severity, and impact of your pain on daily life.

It incorporates validated pain scales, a detailed clinical history, and physical testing to build a complete clinical picture.

Why It Matters

Pain is complex and multidimensional. It may be nociceptive (arising from tissue damage), neuropathic (nerve-related), or nociplastic (related to central sensitisation). Each type requires a different treatment approach.

An accurate pain assessment ensures that treatment is matched to the type and mechanism of pain you are experiencing, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

What Happens During the Assessment?

The assessment combines a detailed interview with physical testing. Dr. Vaishali Suri will ask about the onset, location, severity, and aggravating and relieving factors of your pain.

• Pain location is mapped on a body chart
• Severity is rated using a validated Numerical Rating Scale (0–10)
• 24-hour behaviour of pain is explored
• Impact on sleep, work, and daily activities is assessed
• Relevant physical tests reproduce and assess your pain response

What We Measure

A thorough pain assessment at Realign Rehab Clinic examines:

• Pain type — local, referred, or radiating
• Pain quality — sharp, burning, aching, or shooting
• Temporal pattern — constant, intermittent, or activity-dependent
• Psychosocial factors that may contribute to pain persistence
• Response to previous treatments and medication use

What Your Results Mean

The assessment helps Dr. Vaishali Suri classify your pain and identify the most appropriate physiotherapy approach. For example, neuropathic pain may respond well to specific neural mobilisation techniques, while nociplastic pain may require a pain education and graded activity programme.

Understanding the nature of your pain also helps set realistic treatment goals and timelines.

"Pain is always real, but its source and drivers vary enormously between individuals. A careful pain assessment allows us to respect each patient's experience while designing a treatment plan grounded in the current science of pain."

When to Book a Pain Assessment

A pain assessment is recommended if you have pain that has not responded to previous treatment, pain that is spreading or changing in character, or pain that is significantly affecting your quality of life. It is suitable for all ages and conditions treated at Realign Rehab Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will talking about my pain make it worse?

No. A structured pain assessment is designed to be therapeutic. Many patients find that understanding the nature of their pain through discussion with Dr. Vaishali Suri actually reduces their pain-related anxiety.

Is chronic pain treated differently from acute pain at Realign Rehab Clinic?

Yes. Chronic pain often involves central sensitisation and psychosocial factors that require a broader, biopsychosocial rehabilitation approach beyond treating the original tissue injury.

What pain rating scales are used during the assessment?

Dr. Vaishali Suri uses validated tools including the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and condition-specific outcome measures where appropriate at Realign Rehab Clinic, Faridabad.