PRINCIPLES OF PAIN ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Accurate pain assessment forms the cornerstone of effective physiotherapy practice, guiding clinical reasoning, treatment planning, and outcome evaluation. Because pain is a subjective and multidimensional experience influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, its assessment requires a comprehensive, patient-centred, and evidence-based approach. This chapter outlines the fundamental principles of pain assessment, including the biopsychosocial framework, mechanism-based pain assessment, structured history-taking, objective examination, functional and psychosocial evaluation, red flag screening, and the use of standardised outcome measures. It also highlights the role of clinical reasoning in integrating assessment findings to identify pain mechanisms, guide individualised management, and monitor treatment outcomes through continuous reassessment. Finally, the chapter discusses current challenges and emerging advances in pain assessment, emphasising the importance of combining evolving technologies with sound clinical reasoning to optimise patient care and rehabilitation outcomes.