Practical Tools For Pain Assessment: How to Use Questionairres

When managing complex chronic pain, finding a clear starting point can make all the difference. The journey often begins with assessing where the patient is—both functionally and emotionally—so that progress is easy to track, and care goals can be meaningfully set. In this blog, we’ll look at practical, accessible outcome measures that help clinicians and patients alike gain an individualized view of pain.

The Central Sensitization Inventory

One of the first tools worth considering is the Central Sensitization Inventory. This tool isn’t just about filling out a form; it opens up conversation around whether central sensitization could be playing a role for the patient and how sensitized they are. Sometimes, it’s easy to jump to labels—but the value comes in looking at scores in the context of the whole person. Instead of focusing on a “one size fits all” answer, use the inventory as a lens to see if sensitization might be a predominant factor, or just one piece of the bigger puzzle.

The DAS-21

Alongside the Central Sensitization Inventory, the DAS 21 offers a structured look at emotional and psychological contributors. Pain isn’t just physical, and understanding mood and stress levels can shed light on the ups and downs patients experience over time and what may be amplifying their pain. For some, psychological factors worsen pain signals, while for others, mood may follow physical function. By checking both, clinicians help patients see patterns and separate out what’s modifiable versus what might need acceptance or reframing to better manage.

The Pain Detect

The Pain Detect questionnaire takes things a step further by teasing apart neuropathic from nociceptive pain. A score above 19 often means neuropathic pain is likely present—sometimes as much as a 90% chance. Yet pain is rarely all-or-nothing, so this tool is best used as a guide rather than a verdict. Many patients will have a “bit of a mix of both,” and it’s important not to get stuck in rigid categories.

Oswestry Disability Index

Don’t overlook function – at the end of the day, how much pain is intruding on quality of life is the biggest frustration pain patients have. The Oswestry Disability Index is a functional measure that gives important context to pain. Functional baselines give both patients and clinicians a solid footing for goal setting as well. With a clear functional snapshot, it’s easier to recognize meaningful progress, even when day-to-day pain doesn’t seem to budge.

Don’t Guess, Assess

Above all, make these assessments collaborative. Whether you’re a clinician or a patient, these tools work best when they feel like supports, not hoops to jump through. Encourage patients to “keep looking for the problem through all that,” trusting that it’s not about finding a single answer but building a picture that empowers better decisions along the way.

Out Takeaway For You

Pain assessment isn’t about pass or fail. It’s about putting the right pieces together, noticing change, and making space for the human complexity behind every score and scale. Start simple, adjust as you go, and always circle back to the lived experience of the person in front of you.

For more insight and practical advice, tune in to episode 18 of It’s Not in Your Head Podcast.