5 Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes. Mild painkillers ameliorate pain for 3-4 hours. 6 Can't be ignored for any length of time, You can still go to work and participate in social activities. 7 Makes it difficult to concentrate. Interferes with sleep You can still function with effort.
Stronger painkillers are only partially effective.
8 Physical activity severely limited. You can read and converse with effort. Nausea and dizziness set in as factors of pain. 9 Unable to speak. Crying out or moaning uncontrollably - near delirium.