Painsplaining: How to speak up at the doctor

We all get aches and pains from time to time. A tough workout, long hours at a desk, or an awkward night’s sleep can leave you sore for a day or 2. This kind of short-term pain usually settles on its own.

But when pain is ongoing, intense, or keeps getting in the way of everyday life, it can affect far more than just your body. It can impact your mood, work, relationships, and your ability to enjoy time with friends and family.

Living with constant pain is exhausting, and it’s not something you should just put up with.

The role of pain in the body

Pain is your body’s warning system. It tells you when something isn’t right, helping you protect yourself from further injury.

Special sensors in your body detect damage or potential harm and send signals to your brain, which creates the experience we recognise as pain. Your past experiences and even your emotions can influence how you feel it.¹

There are 2 main types of pain:

• Acute pain is short-term and usually has a clear cause, like a sprain, cut, or infection. It goes away as your body heals and helps you avoid further injury.²
• Chronic pain lasts longer than 3 months or beyond your expected healing time. It may start after an injury, or sometimes there’s no clear cause at all. Chronic pain is real and can affect your nervous system, mood, and daily life.³

If pain is interfering with your life, it’s important to get it checked. Your health provider could help identify what’s causing it and support you with treatment to manage it more effectively.

Early support can make a big difference in preventing pain from taking over your life.

Because people experience pain differently, it can be a tricky thing to describe. Even a scale of 1-10 can mean different levels of pain for everyone.

Pain can be harder to describe if you don’t feel you’re being heard by your GP, physiotherapist or other healthcare provider. Knowing how to advocate for yourself during a medical appointment is important to make sure you receive the correct treatment.

Follow this guide to make sure you’re being properly understood by your healthcare professional.

Finding a healthcare provider who has an in-depth understanding of pain management or the cause of your pain is key. If you’re not sure what kind of provider to see, your GP could be a good place to start.

“Finding a GP who specialises is a good idea if you’re looking for a deeper level of understanding and experience,” says Bupa GP, Dr Janice Tan. “You can also check their credentials to see if they have upskilled in certain areas that are important to you.”

“Write down what's been happening to you,” says Janice. “It’s a good way to formulate and synthesise your experience.”

“Provide it to your doctor in a written format, whether it's an email beforehand or at the consultation. This way you make sure that no information gets lost or missed, which can happen if you’re nervous or you have a lot to talk about.”

With your GP's permission, you can record the session on your phone, so you don’t forget anything. If a recording isn’t possible, take notes and don’t be afraid to ask your GP to repeat or spell anything you’re unsure about.

“You can also take a support person with you who can help advocate for your health in the room,” says Janice.

Because pain is subjective and can be hard to describe, tell your GP about how your pain is impacting your life. If it’s stopping you from playing with your kids, taking part in a gym class you love or causing you to miss work, this is all valuable information for your healthcare provider.

If your doctor is dismissing your pain or is not willing to investigate it, don’t be afraid to push back.

“Doctors have a duty to listen to their patients, and patients shouldn’t have to beg to be heard,” says Janice.

Before you leave the room, ask what happens next.

When should you make a follow-up appointment? Will you be called with results or get a referral for tests?

Having a clear pathway forward can give you some comfort and confidence that your doctor is in your corner.