://module2 The WHO method                                              page 3/9

The Pain Ladder: Overview                                           <<previous   next>>

This diagram represents the different steps of the pain ladder.  Patients can be started on any stage of the ladder and moved up until they are free from pain.  If pain decreases or becomes steady, drug dosages may be reduced and patients may be moved down a step.  We will look at each step in depth later on.

(Adapted from WHO pain relief ladder with permission)

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