The Proper Diagnosis Sets the Stage for Pain Relief

A health professional can provide you with the necessary treatment for neck of back pain only if he has conducted a battery of tests on a patient. This is because pain is the body’s natural reaction to so many things taking place inside it. As such, a doctor needs to come up with a thorough patient history in order to have a better grasp of a particular patient’s condition.  

History

Basically, you have to give your doctor physical history. Your doctor may even inquire about your lifestyle, your family history and other factors that may be related to the pain you feel. The more detailed you get, the better the chances that your doctor will make a correct diagnosis regarding your pain. 

Physical Examination

After you give out pertinent answers to his questions, your doctor will then conduct a physical examination. This lets him examine the areas on the body where you feel the pain and to figure out the source of your discomfort. Usually, the neck and the lower back are the likeliest parts of the body to bear the brunt of lifting heavy things. Typically, a doctor will examine the following:

• Motor skills

• Muscle weakness

• Pain and tenderness at nerve endings

• Reflex changes

• Sensory changes

• Spine and neck motion

The health professional could also check for other signs that point to a more serious diagnosis. These signals may be fever, rapid weight loss, abnormal pulse and problems maintaining balance. This additional examination is usually done for neck pain or back pain as both the neck and the back have lots of muscles, ligaments and nerves which are used more by someone who is physically active.

Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests

As soon as the physician gathers the data about your pain problems, he might ask you to go through diagnostic tests to dig deeper into the cause of the pain or to validate his suspicions. These diagnostic tests are the following:

• X-Ray – Pictures are taken of your bones to look for changes. X-rays can indentify tumors, infections or fractures.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan – This test can provide layer up layer computer-generated images of your spine. This test can identify facet joint enlargement, dehydrated discs, herniated discs and narrowing of the spinal canal. 

• CAT (Computer Assisted Tomography) Scan – This test is the x-ray and the MRI combined. Each segment of the spine can be individually examined to look for signs of wear and tear, joint enlargement or bone spurs. 

And so, if you need sciatic nerve pain help in Pinellas County, you need to consult your doctor who can recommend that you get MR neurography. If you want neck pain relief in Florida, your doctor can suggest an electro diagnostic study and a myelogram to help determine the best treatment. On the other hand, an inner ear problem Dr of Palm Harbour can use neck palpitations to determine nerve damage. The first-aid treatment for a bulging disc in Tampa includes resting the back, reducing inflammation through hot and cold compresses, and pain treatments with NSAIDs. Further, back pain relief in St. Pete can be achieved if the swelling is first reduced before spinal man

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