The McGill Pain Questionnaire, also known as McGill pain index, is a scale of rating pain developed at McGill University by Melzack and Torgerson in 1971.
To use the questionnaire, circle the words that describe your pain but do not circle more than one word in a group. Then when you have that done, go back and circle the three words in groups 1-10 that most convey your pain response. Pick the two words in groups 11-15 that do the same thing. Then pick one word in group 16. Finally, pick 1 word in groups 17-20. At the end you should have seven words that you can take to your doctor that will help describe both the quality of your pain and the intensity of it.
Group 1 Flickering, Pulsing, Quivering, Throbbing, Beating, Pounding
Group 2 Jumping, Flashing, Shooting
Group 3 Pricking, Boring, Drilling, Stabbing
Group 4 Sharp, Gritting, Lacerating
Group 5 Pinching, Pressing, Gnawing, Cramping, Crushing
Group 6 Tugging, Pulling, Wrenching
Group 7 Hot, Burning, Scalding, Searing
Group 8 Tingling, Itching, Smarting, Stinging
Group 9 Dull, Sore, Hurting, Aching, Heavy
Group 10 Tender, Taunt, Rasping, Splitting
Group 11 Tiring, Exhausting
Group 12 Sickening, Suffocating
Group 13 Fearful, Frightful, Terrifying
Group 14 Punishing, Grueling, Cruel, Vicious, Killing
Group 15 Wretched, Binding
Group 16 Annoying, Troublesome, Miserable, Intense, Unbearable
Group 17 Spreading, Radiating, Penetrating, Piercing
Group 18 Tight, Numb, Squeezing, Drawing, Tearing
Group 19 Cool, Cold, Freezing
Group 20 Nagging, Nauseating, Agonizing, Dreadful, Torturing
30th October 2008, 10:38