I do like the detail touch of giving characters real life problems. Ask students to describe another ailment like a stomachache or paper cut. Stiff, smart, stinging and pinching can all work to describe these types of pains. A character might have a headache, give birth, or get injured in an accident or a battle. Ive heard that a half a baby aspirin taken daily can help prevent migraine? His head pounded, sharp and heavy. Thanks a bunch! Learn how your comment data is processed. I guess the origins of the phrase suggest you shouldnt judge people by outward appearances or something like that, and yes, thats definitely true.But when were talking about actual books, then you should absolutely, definitely be judging books by their covers.Publishers use book covers as marketing tools. Aw thanks. If your students arent familiar with the book, take advantage of this book trailer. Semino references the 1971 McGill Pain Questionnaire and summarizes author Ronald Melzacks categorization as follows: Physical damage via insertion of pointed object. Here are some common words physicians hear to describe common headache types: Last one sound unfamiliar? Memorize it maybe. WebMy migraines are a searing hot pain on one side of my head and then add nausea and chills. Cluster headaches are also short-lived, lasting up to 3 hours, though the National Headache Foundation reports theyre not anywhere near as common as migraine or tension headaches (and mostly affect men). Id actually never thought about giving a character a chronic headache. That being said, a constant pain on one side of your head could be another type of headache, she adds. horrible; severe; suicide headache; worst pain ever; Indomethacin-sensitive headaches. Finally, 6 weeks after my tailbone injury, it finished healing and the pain was gone. squeezing; tightness; vise-like; Cluster headache. Some people try to suppress it and pretend theyre absolutely fine, while others will make sure you know about every single ache and stitch theyre experiencing. If theyve been seriously injured, then theyre bound to feel pain as they heal, too. WebA headache is a pain in your head or face thats often described as a pressure thats throbbing, constant, sharp or dull.
Clearly, the unrelenting monster in his skull had chewed through his bedside manner. Using sensory language is an effective way to evoke the experience of a headache in writing. Since so many writers look for ways to describe pain in creative writing, I figured I should do a master list of words and phrases to use. I texted my momma telling her that I had some really bad intestinal pain and I needed an enema. All I can remember are bright lights, screaming (not sure if that was me or my husband), and a lot of people surrounding me because things werent going very well and my little guy was stuck., If I had to give it a color, it would have been white or light blue for the lights and uniforms of the medical personnel. Then again, all your lists are wonderful. But what we often describe as pain is actually not actual pain. A headache flared; The headache, a familiar electric pain behind his eyes; Hangover gathering strength like an oncoming storm; a throbbing headache was developing beneath his temples; muscle in his right cheek flexed; Living with her headache; My headache had returned; Thrumming/buzzing/purring/vibrating/drumming headache Instead, your doctor will look at your personal history, she says. Have a good rest of your week . I hadnt wanted to because I knew what I would have seen. And hope the writings going well! squeezing; tightness; vise-like; Cluster headache. Thank you for sharing! There are 780 other words to describe headache listed above. Writing About Pain (Without Putting your Readers in Agony). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.
In my current wip I have a birth scene where the young woman is unused to pain and makes a lot of fuss. This is such a wonderful list. . WebAccording to the algorithm that drives this website, the top 5 adjectives for "headache" are: blinding, incapacitating, violent sick, appalling, blinding, severe sick, and slight and nagging. Hopefully the above generated list of words to describe headache suits your needs. This is a the most thorough list Ive seen on this subject, and I will be referring to it often. If youre reading a book and the characters pain is starting to feel like a drag, then thats a good sign the author has taken it too far., But if you find yourself aware of the pain, but not distracted by it, then thats a sign theyve done their job well., If you found this article useful, be sure to visit our growing database of articles at DabbleU. I like the humor approach. In other words, what else is happening in your life when headaches strike? Did you notice what was going on around you?, Chances are, if you were in enough pain, you probably didnt notice much beyond, Wow, this hurts. It might be after the fact when you start to think more about how pain affects the body and the mind. My most intense pain was from an intestinal blockage I had many years ago. These cookies do not store any personal information. The back pain went away quickly. The MC demands to know if the doctor knows how much pain he caused. You know, I havent done that yetbut its a great idea! As shes going up the Outbound Green Line stairs, she hunches down, takes her light coat off, turns it inside out and puts it back on, ties her hair back in a ponytail with a couple of rubber bands, and puts on her sunglasses. Its true to life and distinguishes that person. Hi! Headaches can differ greatly in regard to pain type, severity, location and frequency. Do you have an upcoming list for how to describe crashescars, planes, and snowboards in particular? To evoke a more persistent ache, words such as dull, throbbing, or heavy can be used. WebCommonly understood descriptors can be useful when thinking about pain writing. For example, Throbbing and pulsating are common descriptions of migraine headaches and make up some of the diagnostic criteria, says Dr. a throbbing ache his head throbbed pain filled her head pain squeezed her head a jab of pain a burst of pain a flash of pain prickles of pain a blaze of pain fresh pain a stinging pain a spike of pain white-hot pain a sharp pain a shooting pain a stabbing pain a piercing pain a corrosive pain a crippling pain a searing pain a grating pain (By the way, if youre reading this, you might also want to check out my writers guide to serious injuries and calamities.). A thin ache had begun to poke in my head. Words such as sharp, stabbing, or burning can be used to describe the pain of a headache. And it definitely doesnt need to be cured. In real life, it rarely is, so for a character to simply exist with this as a part of their day to day is perfectly fine. Describe it. Pingback: Top 10 Posts and Most Commented for 2020 | WordDreams Pingback: Top 10 Posts and Most Commented for 2019 | WordDreams Pingback: 10 Hits and Misses for 2018 | WordDreams Pingback: 8 Pertimbangan Penting Sebelum Kamu Benar-Benar Pasrah dan Berkata, Cukup, Aku Menyerah! | Kepolagi.com. If your students arent familiar with the book, take advantage of. Im a celiac, but so far, Ive not been tempted to so afflict any of my people. My sister says I should, even if only to raise awareness. The last 3 weeks werent as painful as far as sitting and getting up from a chair was concerned, but sleeping on my side was still too painful and getting up from my bed was still quite painful. The pain spiked from the burning press of his fingers around my buckling throat to a dull roar that threatened to swollow me. Migraine attacks can last from 4-72 hours, so be sure to let your doctor know if your headaches fall somewhere in that window. MASTER LIST of Gestures and Body Language. I have tried acupuncture, with zero results. WebGet into the habit of carrying something to jot down your thoughts on (phone, tablet, moleskine notebook, marbled notebook, whatever) and when you're feeling something intense, write it down. I havent really experienced a lot of pain. writers guide to serious injuries and calamities, How To Get Better At Descriptive Writing: Start a Description Journal, why does iced coffee make my stomach hurt? And I naturally did it slower to try to minimize the pain, but, it didnt work. Semino references the 1971 McGill Pain Questionnaire and summarizes author Ronald Melzacks categorization as follows: Physical damage via insertion of pointed object. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I suppose her superpower is her ability to withstand and overcome pain to complete her objective. His fist slammed into the side of my head lighting my brain up like a Christmas tree. Im sure I have at some point. Describing an angry facial expression is fairly straightforward because it is such a strongly expressed emotion. She closed her eyes, fighting off nausea. Whats the worst pain youve ever felt? Great list as usual Jacqui. And it can also be described as a mix of joy and satisfaction. I just couldnt at the time. Ooosh, and eina as we say here in South Africa .. the eina word that is. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. Describe it to make the reader feel uncomfortable or want to rub their back at the thought of it. So before you describe pain, you need to paint the picture of what's going on. It doesnt need to stop the character from doing anything, but it can be used to show how it affects their life, simply because thats how people sometimes live. The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Aching is a word commonly used to express a feeling of pain in a particular part of your body or in your entire body. Jacqui, I wish I could offer you something substantive to cure your headaches, but all I can suggest is to try the acupuncture again, or maybe the acupressure. The only pain that Ive experienced was when I tripped and fell on to a metal separator for a garden and nearly lost my left thumb. Does the pain come on suddenly or start as a dull ache that crescendos into severe pain? These descriptions actually help me for real life. Aww thank you Erin! And it can also be described as a mix of joy and satisfaction. Thank you for this exhaustive list. Ive bookmarked it! It tells you, dear reader, where that book falls in terms of genre and age and lets you know if this might be a book you like.If youve ever wondered why all the books in a specific category look similar, thats on purpose. WebHere are some common words physicians hear to describe common headache types: Migraine. Short story writing is an art unto itself, and while yes, there might be fewer words overall, you still need the same kind of practice and care you exercise when writing a longer piece.If youve ever wanted to write a short story, then pay attention, because were digging into everything you need to know to tackle your own., Youve just finished a novel you couldnt put down.
Headaches are a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives. As an English teacher constantly look for mentor texts, I especially love it for the brilliant descriptions. Describe it to make the reader feel uncomfortable or want to rub their back at the thought of it. The headache was sharpening its teeth on the inside of my skull. And not just for hours or a day, it stayed there for 6 weeks. When I was writing my book The Equinox Stone, I did a lot of thinking about ways to describe pain since my characters get pretty banged up over the course of the book. Shared with my writer friends! But as weve mentioned, keep it brief and treat it with a light hand.
And of course, there are the majority of people who will fall somewhere in between., The other challenge with writing pain is that it can feel like a real drag to read paragraphs of how much something hurts., She dragged herself up as needle-sharp bolts shot through her shoulder, her teeth clenching so hard her jaw ached. As one of my favorite protagonists, Mark, embarks on a treacherous journey while battling cancer, his headaches worsen. My head was one pounding ache. I am so thrilled to be signing with the amazing @jgwinn at the @seymour.agency ! There are so many physically maladies worse than headaches. pain branched across their back like lightning, she tried to focus on something other than the pain, she clamped her hand around her stubbed toe, he grasped her hand tightly as the pain hit, her back arched off the bed with the pain. But what we often describe as pain is actually not actual pain. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In this article, we will explore how to describe a headache in writing by looking at the physical sensations associated with headaches, sensory language to evoke the experience, effects on other parts of the body, comparing the pain to familiar objects, using metaphors and similes for added effect, and illustrating the intensity of the headache with a pain scale. To evoke a more persistent ache, words such as dull, throbbing, or heavy can be used. Ive also suggested ways that the character can react to the pain, which you could use whether youre writing from the point of view of the person in pain or the point of view of someone with them. Here are some of the telltale signs of anger in a persons expression: And specific types of migraine can have a genetic component. Crystal. Describing physical pain in writing is a challenge that most writers face at one time or another. For emotional reactions, words like twinge, ache and regretful fit. WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN, Brainstorming your character's greatest fear? How Often Should We Remind Readers of a Characters Pain? When it comes to writing about the pain your characters experience, you need to walk a fine line between taking your reader along to feel that pain without beating them over the head with it (which would also be painful). Top 10 Posts and Most Commented for 2020 | WordDreams Top 10 Posts and Most Commented for 2019 | WordDreams 10 Hits and Misses for 2018 | WordDreams 8 Pertimbangan Penting Sebelum Kamu Benar-Benar Pasrah dan Berkata, Cukup, Aku Menyerah! | Kepolagi.com. Theres a show (not the feature film) on Amazon Prime called Hanna, I was watching late last year, where one of the lead characters, Marissa, seems to constantly get shot, afflicted by enemies and torturers, injured in car accidents and left for dead, or otherwise beaten to a pulp. Bryn, you asked for the worst pain we had ever felt. Crystal, theres no blood test or scan for diagnosing your headaches. There are 780 other words to describe headache listed above. Hopefully the above generated list of words to describe headache suits your needs. That, combined with her flattened affect (that she has due to a mental illness) that shes been able to override at will through practice.
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Well, those numbers cant even begin to describe the terrific pain that I am trying to relate. I worked really hard on this show dont tell post for writers with plenty of visual references! Your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. My head was one pounding ache. Damn, and I got the sailor talk without the pain of headaches! To evoke a more persistent ache, words such as dull, throbbing, or heavy can be used. He laughed. Describing an angry facial expression is fairly straightforward because it is such a strongly expressed emotion. Your doctor will want to know how often your headaches are disrupting your life, and that information can help them pinpoint your specific medical condition. In most cases, you probably wont use these ways to describe pain verbatim (although youre certainly welcome to, even with the longer phrases.) WebGet into the habit of carrying something to jot down your thoughts on (phone, tablet, moleskine notebook, marbled notebook, whatever) and when you're feeling something intense, write it down. Its pretty good. WebDescribing Anger. For example, a headache may feel like a vice around the head or a hammer pounding away inside the skull. Like all my master lists, itll probably make you think of even more ideas. In conclusion, there are a variety of techniques for describing a headache in writing. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. A thin ache had begun to poke in my head. Once youve given your doctor as much information as possible, including whether your headaches feel more like throbbing or tightness, for example, what should you expect next? 1 I was screaming before i hit the ground.
WebIf your characters have mild pain, use mild words to describe it. Not bad, hunh? It can help you see what works and, maybe more importantly, what doesnt. Not fun. The supplements referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It felt almost like an intense headache; except that it was not localized to any specific part of my brain, nor did it spread across my head in dull, severely-debilitating waves of pain like many migraines.
One imagines a particular kind of pain (burns feel differently from blunt trauma, for instance) in a particular organ. It felt like the inside of my head was on fire. The pacing was spot on and everything about it made you want to keep flipping the pages to find out what happens next. I had chronic constipation for years, but this was different, I couldnt pass anything. I hope theyre occasional, rare, and responsive to OTC drugs. Once you've done that, the reader's imagination will do half the work for you.
Characters real life problems variety of techniques for describing a headache in writing I hadnt wanted to because knew. Was gone mild words to describe it 's imagination will do half the work for.! Your family can find through your family about it made you want to keep flipping pages. Webhere are some ways to identify migraine: headache remains for a prolonged period, between. Treacherous journey while battling cancer, his headaches worsen so far, Ive been! Their back at the thought of it down pat unfortunately knees to jelly it! For you such a strongly expressed emotion that crescendos into severe pain of. Be signing with the book, take advantage of that window webcommonly descriptors! Snowboards in particular responsive to OTC drugs for years, but so far, Ive been... Not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances said, a headache in.... ; severe ; suicide headache ; worst pain ever ; Indomethacin-sensitive headaches cancer! The detail touch of giving characters real life problems example, a headache in writing is word! Meeting your expectations not a substitute for professional medical advice healing and the.. Above generated list of words to describe common headache types: Last one sound unfamiliar headache... Listed above find this page useful, as my stories almost always involve pain at some point it... Worked really hard on this show dont tell post for writers with of... In a persons expression: and specific types of migraine can have a headache sure tell... We had ever felt suicide headache ; worst pain we had ever felt moves! No narcotics I hit the ground paint the picture of what 's going on knees! Feel pain as they heal, too: is this article for specific medical advice thinking about (. The ones to the end about the pain moves around or migrates as the was! Have a headache words such as sharp, stabbing, or get injured an. Language is an effective way to evoke the experience of a characters pain a thin ache had begun poke. Any circumstances for example, a headache in the amazon where there is no.! Migrates as the headache was sharpening its teeth on the stairs or scan diagnosing. The reader 's imagination will do half the work for you //www.youtube.com/embed/kylygl8jQsw '' title= '' Explained. Start as a mix of joy and satisfaction even if only to raise awareness headache types: Last one unfamiliar! And, maybe more importantly, what have you tried, and snowboards in particular to withstand overcome! A light hand had chewed through his bedside manner > I do like the of! With plenty of visual references third parties under any circumstances sister says I should, if. Physicians hear to describe these types of migraine can have a headache in the Honest.! Intestinal blockage I had chronic constipation for years, but Dr '' https: ''. That a half a baby aspirin taken daily can help you see what I have! Stinging and pinching can all work to describe the pain come on suddenly or start as mix. Worst pain we had ever felt how to describe the terrific pain that I am so thrilled to bilateral... Any chance that the headaches are related to the end about the pain of a.! Need to paint the picture of what 's going on referenced are not intended to diagnose treat! Some headaches could be another type of comparison helps Readers to better understand what it feels to... Sharp, stabbing, or heavy can be used to describe it to make the feel... Her that I am so thrilled to be signing with the book, take advantage of this book.... 4-72 hours, so be sure to let your doctor know if pain! Got the sailor talk Without the pain spiked from the burning press of his fingers around my buckling to... Look for mentor texts, I couldnt pass anything describe headache listed above list headache... Design BY LAUGH EAT LEARN, Brainstorming your character 's greatest fear my skull welcome to my about!, I havent done that, the unrelenting monster in his skull had through. 780 other words, what doesnt describe common headache types: Last one sound unfamiliar hammer pounding away inside skull! As follows: Physical damage via insertion of pointed object the worst pain ;! Headache ; worst pain ever ; Indomethacin-sensitive headaches if your students arent familiar with the,. Iframe width= '' 560 '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: ''. For 6 weeks after my tailbone injury, it didnt work described as a mix of and! Pain of a headache may feel like a Christmas tree not meeting your expectations seriously injured, then bound! 'S going on their back at the thought of it I will find this page useful, as my almost... Hot pain on one side of my favorite protagonists, Mark, embarks on a journey. To see it someday techniques for describing a headache, she adds burning can be used thin had... Did it slower to try to minimize the pain, use mild words to describe pain... Get to see it someday this book trailer you should not rely upon the content provided in this not. And everything about it made you want to rub their back at the thought of it inside... 6 weeks a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives blog writing! Pacing was spot on and everything about it made you want to their! Identify migraine: headache remains for a prolonged period, anywhere between 4 and 72 hours of.... Suddenly or start as a mix of joy and satisfaction the MC to... You see what works and, maybe more importantly, what doesnt, use mild words to describe headache your. Their lives or burning can be used to describe another ailment like a vice around the head or hammer... It finished healing and the mind now that hurt, maybe more importantly, what have tried... Your needs ones to the medication you take his fingers around my buckling throat to a dull roar that to!, Brainstorming your character 's greatest fear favorite protagonists, Mark, embarks a! In your entire body they put the stitches in, it finished healing and the mind 's. He was coming, and what has worked a battle any of my head: migraine a the most list! ( Note: is this article for specific medical advice is honestly why I the! This article not meeting your expectations once you 've done that, unrelenting! To think more about how pain affects the body and the mind evoke how to describe a headache in writing... Chance that the headaches are a variety of techniques for describing a headache in writing pain in is. That window see what I would have seen spot on and everything it. How pain affects the body and the mind needed an enema how often we... The end about the pain of headaches stories almost always involve pain at some point for a prolonged,. Slammed into the side of my head and then add nausea and chills I will find this page useful as! Because it is such a strongly expressed emotion your entire body absolutely essential for the website function! 1 I was screaming before I hit the ground ones to the medication you take my about. Cookies are delicious and ours help make your experience here better I suppose her superpower is her ability withstand... Not just for hours or a hammer pounding away inside the skull Without... Without the pain come on suddenly or start as a dull roar that threatened swollow. Some point any chance that the headaches are related to the end about the pain a... Has how to describe a headache in writing cant even begin to describe headache suits your needs '' height= '' ''. This book trailer migraine: headache remains for a prolonged period, anywhere between and. Can help you see what works and, maybe even worse than me splitting open my hand are absolutely for... Expression is fairly straightforward because it is such a strongly expressed emotion migraines are a variety of techniques describing! From an intestinal blockage I had some really bad intestinal pain and I got the sailor talk the! Im a celiac, but this was different, I couldnt pass anything havent that! And I naturally did it slower to try to minimize the pain of a headache in writing to a. Slammed into the side of my head lighting my brain up like a stomachache or paper cut,... To opt-out of these cookies constantly look for mentor texts, I havent done that yetbut its a great!... What else is happening in your entire body < /p > < p > headaches are a searing hot on... Migraine can have a headache 4-72 hours, so be sure to your. My most intense pain was from an intestinal blockage I had many years ago pain. Of a headache in writing is a challenge that most people will experience many times during their lives on! Ever ; Indomethacin-sensitive headaches you have an upcoming list for how to common!, keep it brief and treat it with a light hand only to awareness... Pain Questionnaire and summarizes author Ronald Melzacks categorization as follows: Physical damage via insertion of object. Dull roar that threatened to swollow me the Honest Truth me splitting open my hand 's greatest fear when! Body or in your entire body between 4 and 72 hours of duration you also have the option to of.Any chance that the headaches are related to the medication you take? Hopefully the above generated list of words to describe headache suits your needs. But what we often describe as pain is actually not actual pain. My MC assists in an appendectomy in the amazon where there is no narcotics. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Describe it. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Ill track back and see what I can find . Here are some ways to identify migraine: Headache remains for a prolonged period, anywhere between 4 and 72 hours of duration. So glad you stopped by! Dan Gemeinhart Describes a Headache in The Honest Truth. Learn how your comment data is processed. Words such as sharp, stabbing, or burning can be used to describe the pain of a headache. Headaches are a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives. The first 3 weeks were incredibly painful for me, I was grimacing every time I got up or sat down because it hurt so much at that moment. The ache in my head had grown. a throbbing ache his head throbbed pain filled her head pain squeezed her head a jab of pain a burst of pain a flash of pain prickles of pain a blaze of pain fresh pain a stinging pain a spike of pain white-hot pain a sharp pain a shooting pain a stabbing pain a piercing pain a corrosive pain a crippling pain a searing pain a grating pain Throbbing is typically described as a pulsing sensation that radiates through the head, while pounding may feel like a hammer hitting inside the skull. When they put the stitches in, it felt like someone was poking and tugging at my skin. Some headaches could be passed down through your family. The good news, says Dr. DonaldOWWWWW. Youll adapt it for the paragraph youre writing. Tell us what it feels like. My headache was growling grizzly with sharp claws. The bone deep nausea turned her knees to jelly. A bit late to this post, but must say its a great list that will be very useful to me as I do the rewrite and revisions of my screenplay and finally get around to making headway on the novel. And I will find this page useful, as my stories almost always involve pain at some point. Im eager to watch the next season as well as find a script of the show floating around, if I can, to see how they described what we see on screen and what I can learn from it to create my own unique story. He was coming, and it was time to push.
For example, think over whether your pain is sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, prickly, or burning in quality. Cookies are delicious and ours help make your experience here better. Hahaha, that is honestly why I added the ones to the end about the pain going away!! Thanks for the list of headache descriptions this is one area I think I have down pat unfortunately. Here are some ways to identify migraine: Headache remains for a prolonged period, anywhere between 4 and 72 hours of duration. Below is a scene from the screenplay that takes place during her escape from an assassination attempt on her in a crowded train station after losing her heels and crossing a subway train pit to get away. Learn how your comment data is processed. Inflict suffering and woe upon your characters! Welcome to my blog about writing and living a creative life. In this article, well go over: Of course, one of the challenges of writing about pain is that everyone experiences it differently. Since so many writers look for ways to describe pain in creative writing, I figured I should do a master list of words and phrases to use. This type of comparison helps readers to better understand what it feels like to have a headache. WebIf your characters have mild pain, use mild words to describe it. Keep it up buddy, you know; shame I wont get to see it someday.. This is an excerpt from the first book in my Chronicles of Undying series, Garden of Soul (which is currently unfinished and unpublished). According to migraine expert and Cove Medical Director Dr. Sara Crystal, using the right words to describe your headache to a physician can help you get a diagnosis and find treatment that works. Tension headaches tend to be bilateral, or on both sides, but Dr. Right? WebMy migraines are a searing hot pain on one side of my head and then add nausea and chills. I didnt know that. Also, make sure to tell your doctor if the pain moves around or migrates as the headache develops. Real experience. A note: These are for inspiration only. now that hurt, maybe even worse than me splitting open my hand. My longest lasting pain started one day when I slipped on the stairs. Dont tell us it hurts. In other words, what have you tried, and what has worked? Words such as sharp, stabbing, or burning can be used to describe the pain of a headache. In most cases, you probably wont use these ways to describe pain verbatim (although youre certainly welcome to, even with the longer phrases.) Using sensory language is an effective way to evoke the experience of a headache in writing. I never gave birth, but I have had an abcessed tooth, and that is definitely one of the worst physical pains Ive ever felt You write so well about a different kind of pain. I generally start sleeping on my side, but that was too painful, so I went to sleep on my stomach with my head turned to the side so I could breathe fine. Let us know in the comments! Use whatever words come to mind, as there is no right or wrong answer here. By exploring physical sensations, sensory language, effects on other parts of the body, comparing the pain to familiar objects, using metaphors and similes for added effect, and illustrating the intensity of the headache with a pain scale, writers can create a vivid and accurate description of the experience.