| Phase 1: stiffness or mild soreness after activity, usually gone within 24 hours |
| Phase 2: stiffness or mild soreness before activity that is relieved by warm-up. Symptoms are not present during activity but return after, lasting up to 48 hours |
| Phase 3: stiffness or mild soreness before specific sport or occupational activity. Pain is partially relieved by warm-up. It is minimally present during activity but does not cause athlete to alter activity |
| Phase 4: pain is similar to but more intense than phase 3 pain. Phase 4 pain causes athlete to alter performance of the activity. Mild pain may also be noticed with activities of daily living |
| Phase 5: significant (moderate or greater) pain before, during, and after activity, causing alteration of activity. Pain occurs with activities of daily living but does not cause a major change in them |
| Phase 6: phase 5 pain that persists even with complete rest. Phase 6 pain disrupts simple activities of daily living and prohibits doing household chores |
| Phase 7: phase 6 pain that also disrupts sleep consistently. Pain is aching in nature and intensifies with activity |
