Your spinal column is incredibly complex, as bones, discs, ligaments, tendons, joints and nerves all reside in close proximity to one another. Because of this, and because many spinal conditions present with similar symptoms, it can be extremely difficult to know exactly what type of injury you’re dealing with if your back starts to hurt. However, if you’re smart in your approach to care, we’re confident you can get an accurate diagnosis, which will make it easier to pursue the right type of treatment. In today’s blog, we share some tips for ensuring you get an accurate diagnosis for your back pain.
Increasing Your Odds Of A Correct Diagnosis
If you’re hoping to figure out exactly what’s going on in your spine after an injury or the onset of new symptoms, here’s what you’ll want to do:
- Head To The Doctor – While this may sound obvious, if you’re truly hoping to get an accurate diagnosis, it’s imperative that you head to a doctor’s office. There is a lot of helpful information online, but there is also a lot of misinformation, and if you’re not super familiar with the complexity of your spinal column, it can be easy to misdiagnose yourself. Instead, head to your primary care physician or a specialist’s office for an exam and an imaging test.
- Be Honest – Your work isn’t done just because you hobbled into the doctor’s office. You still have a role to play in helping figure out what’s going on in your spine. Once you’re at the doctor’s office, be honest about everything you’re dealing with. They’ll obviously ask about your symptoms and what led up to your moment of injury, but they’ll also likely ask about things like your diet and exercise habits. Be honest when talking with them about other aspects of your health, otherwise it could make it harder for them to get to the bottom of your injury.
- Be Descriptive – It’s also helpful to be very descriptive when it comes to your symptoms. Don’t just say that your back hurts, let your provider know what type of discomfort you’re experiencing and which actions make your symptoms better or worse. Many patients find that it’s helpful to write down their symptoms or to start a symptom journal so that they have a handy reference when asked about their discomfort. It’s not always easy to remember all of your symptoms, so writing them down can help.
- Consider Imaging – Finally, it can be hard to understand exactly what’s going on with a physical exam alone. Your doctor may have a pretty good idea what’s happening in your spine based on your description of symptoms and their physical exam, but to confirm their suspicions, they’ll likely recommend that you undergo an imaging exam. An X-ray is the most common type of imaging exam, but if your provider believes that a soft tissue or nerve problem may be the root cause, they may suggest an MRI or CT scan. These tech devices can help to pinpoint the specific cause of discomfort in your spine.
Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute have helped countless individuals get an accurate diagnosis for their spinal discomfort, but remember that a diagnosis is only half the battle. You will need to put in work during treatment if you hope to make the strongest recovery possible. Our team would be more than happy to help set you up with a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs so that you can put your back pain in the past. For more information, or for help with a new or chronic back injury, pick up the phone and call the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
