The Traffic Light System for Headache

In the past, we’ve discussed systems for rating headache pain and disability, but today we’re highlighting one system in particular that people have found to be very helpful. It’s called the Traffic Light System

There are actually some variations of this system – not surprising, because it’s a very simple set of 3. As mentioned in the post linked to above, you could simply say “mild” “moderate” or “severe”.

But a recent report from the University of Toronto described it in perhaps a more helpful way, as shown below.

The advantages of this system? It’s simple – only three options. No more trying to decide if you’re headache is a “4/10” or a “5/10”. It’s colourful – easy to see at a glance if you use these colours on a chart, or a calendar.

But maybe most helpful of all is that it describes disability more than pain.

Many people who have migraine – in particular chronic migraine – know that pain may be low one day, and yet you still feel very disabled. It could be dizziness, nausea, or other related symptoms. Other days, the pain may be higher, but you’re still able to “push through” and get some things done.

So it is very important to know not only pain levels, but just how disabled you may be over the course of a month.

Other people are finding this helpful. The Chicago Dizziness and Hearing Clinic has used a similar system. Here’s someone who incorporated a similar system into a diary (except eventually using 4 colours), and her explanation of why she likes it.

This won’t satisfy those who want a more precise measurement, but it will be useful to those who want a simple, understand-at-a-glance system.