The Visual Analog Scale, or VAS, helps patients communicate how much back pain or neck pain they are experiencing. To use the Visual Analog Scale, make a mark that represents the intensity of your back pain symptoms as they are between no pain and unbearable pain. Doctors then measure the distance between the "No Pain" point and the point where you made your mark to come up with a score that expresses back pain intensity.
Source:
Gould, H.J. III, M.D., Ph.D. (2007). Understanding Pain. Saint Paul, MN: Demos.
