Referred Pain Map

Download a free Referred Pain Map to help individuals understand and manage referred pain. Get our PDF template here.

By Ericka Pingol on Aug 2, 2025.

Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.

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What is a Referred Pain Map?

When patients complain of persistent lower back pain, you know as a healthcare provider that the root cause isn't always where the pain is felt most intensely. Referred pain occurs at a location different from the site of the painful stimulus, as opposed to local pain, which is felt where the actual source is.

The central nervous system and the spinal cord play pivotal roles in this intriguing process. Pain signals from one part of the body can travel along nerve pathways and create sensations in another seemingly unrelated area. Patients can be surprised when they learn that shoulder, muscle, and jaw pain in various regions can be due to issues elsewhere in the body.

An example is pain in the left arm due to a heart attack. Although the heart is the organ in distress, the arm manifests the discomfort. Referred muscle pain can also come from organs or body structures, like muscle-to-muscle pain in myofascial pain syndromes or joint pain from knee arthritis.

This pain can be challenging to pinpoint and manage, so a Referred Pain Map can be invaluable. It's a visual guide that illustrates the body's various parts and potential sources of referred pain for each area. A Referred Pain Map or Referred Pain Chart helps healthcare professionals and patients understand which internal organs and systems can cause pain sensations in a particular body area. By understanding referred pain areas, individuals, especially those with chronic musculoskeletal pain, can receive the appropriate treatment to address their discomfort and pain symptoms.

Referred Pain Map Template

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How does it work?

Carepatron's free Referred Pain Map can help you identify referred pain and its sources. The map is divided into several body parts. Here's how to use the template:

Step 1: Download the template

The link on this page provides a copy of our printable Referred Pain Map. You may also access it from our extensive resources library.

Step 2: Discuss the map with your patient

Explain to your patient that the map shows the various parts of their body - including potential sources of referred pain for each area. Point out which organs and systems may be causing their discomfort and discuss possible causes and next steps. Explain to them that pain signals are sent by specific nerves when pain is detected.

Step 3: Triage symptoms

Discuss different methods of triaging their symptoms, such as eliminating specific triggers or lifestyle changes. Assist them in creating a plan of action to help manage and address referred pain with the ultimate goal of finding relief.

Step 4: Monitor progress

Check-in regularly with the patient and monitor their progress, guiding them as needed. Adjust treatments or lifestyle modifications to ensure they receive maximum relief from a particular referred pain area.

When should you use this free Referred Pain Map?

You can use Carepatron's free Referred Pain Map template to discuss referred pain with your patients anytime. You may also use this printable map for educational materials in the classroom or other healthcare professional settings. Alternatively, this template is an excellent resource to:

Support decision-making during patient consultations

Our free template provides a visual tool to quickly and easily identify potential sources of referred pain so you can focus on providing actionable advice. The Referred Pain Map can also help guide the discussion and give more context for patient-specific concerns.

Encourage lifestyle modifications

The template encourages patients to think about the areas of their lives that could be affected by referred pain, such as diet or exercise. By helping them identify and address any underlying causes of their symptoms (e.g., chronic musculoskeletal pains, visceral referred pain), you can help them better manage their condition and improve their overall well-being.

Take a holistic approach to health

The map lets you take a holistic view of your patient's health. It allows you to consider not only the physical aspects of health but also the psychological and emotional components. This helps you better understand how referred pain can impact overall quality of life.

Demonstrate areas where pain may be felt

You may use this template to assess the location of pain concerning other body systems or organs and better understand how they might be affected. This can be particularly helpful when trying to diagnose the source of pain.

Benefits of free Referred Pain Map

One aspect that makes referred pain fascinating is its ability to enlarge pain areas, creating confusion for patients and healthcare providers. Understanding the mechanisms is crucial for managing pain effectively. Using a Referred Pain Map can help because of the following reasons:

It's fully digital and easy to use

Our free template is easy to use and accessible online. It allows you to access information quickly and accurately, saving time and energy.

It's versatile

The Referred Pain Chart assesses multiple body systems and anatomical regions. This template can also be used to track pain progress over time, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of treatment plans.

It makes patients feel heard

The Referred Pain Map allows patients to track and report their pain, giving them a sense of control over their health. This can empower those with chronic or persistent pain and improve patient engagement.

It promotes effective communication

Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is crucial in managing pain and fostering trust. Our Referred Pain Map can facilitate healthy dialogues. Visualizing the patient's pain not only assists in better understanding their condition but also encourages them to participate and communicate more openly about their pain experiences.

Commonly asked questions

Healthcare providers such as physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors use a Referred Pain Map to better understand a patient's pain.

You can use Referred Pain Map to help patients identify their referred pain. By understanding the connection between different areas of the body, you can better diagnose and treat your patients.

Using a Referred Pain Map can be beneficial in numerous ways. By understanding and becoming aware of referred pain, individuals can develop effective strategies for managing their pain. In addition, healthcare providers can use this tool to communicate effectively with patients about their condition and provide more comprehensive treatments.