Successful pain management requires attention to the concept of “total pain”. There are several different components of “total pain”.

Physical/biological

• differ from person to person
• previous pain experience

Psychological

• emotional state
• personality
• self-esteem
• previous mental illness

Family

• family systems
• family fears
• culture

Social

• economic factors
• education
• social class
• culture/ethnicity

Assessment should include:
Pain history (see Tips and Tools for Pain History)
Physical Exam
Psychosocial Assessment
Diagnostic Evaluation