What is a referred pain chart?

A referred pain chart is a visual aid with examples of pain felt in areas of the body other than the original site of pain. An example of referred pain is a heart attack that causes pain in areas other than the chest, such as the arm or shoulder blades.

Low back pain is another common form of referred pain. Often, an injury to the lower back results in pain around the groin or upper thigh area. A gallbladder attack may cause pain in the back of the shoulder. Referred pain is an important tool in modern medicine; it helps to diagnose an array of conditions properly.