Testing & Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with chronic pain can be a long, frustrating process as other possible conditions are ruled out one by one. In some cases, no physical cause for pain is ever found.
Pain Scales -- Valuable Pain Assessment Tools
Pain scales are commonly used in pain assessment to rate the impact of pain on a person. Common pain scales and how they are used.
Pain scales are commonly used in pain assessment to rate the impact of pain on a person. Common pain scales and how they are used.
Diagnostic Ultrasound -- Ultrasound to Diagnose Chronic Pain
Diagnostic ultrasound can be used to determine the cause of certain types of chronic pain. The most common types of diagnostic ultrasound used for chronic pain diagnosis.
Diagnostic ultrasound can be used to determine the cause of certain types of chronic pain. The most common types of diagnostic ultrasound used for chronic pain diagnosis.
Diagnostic Ultrasound vs. Ultrasound Therapy – What’s the Difference?
With all of the types of ultrasound out there, it is easy to get confused. Ultrasound can be used in different ways, both to diagnose and treat certain chronic pain disorders.
With all of the types of ultrasound out there, it is easy to get confused. Ultrasound can be used in different ways, both to diagnose and treat certain chronic pain disorders.
Diagnosing Pelvic Pain
Diagnosing pelvic pain can be tricky, because there are so many potential causes. The most common tests and procedures for diagnosing pelvic pain.
Diagnosing pelvic pain can be tricky, because there are so many potential causes. The most common tests and procedures for diagnosing pelvic pain.
How Your Doctor Makes a Chronic Pain Diagnosis
Your doctor will run a battery of tests to diagnose your chronic pain. Here are some of the things you should expect when you are being diagnosed with chronic pain.
Your doctor will run a battery of tests to diagnose your chronic pain. Here are some of the things you should expect when you are being diagnosed with chronic pain.
What is an EMG, and How Does it Work?
During your chronic pain examination, your doctor may order an electromyography, or an EMG. What an EMG is, and what to expect if you have one.
During your chronic pain examination, your doctor may order an electromyography, or an EMG. What an EMG is, and what to expect if you have one.
What is an NCV, and How is it Done?
You may have to undergo an NCV, or nerve conduction velocity test, when you are diagnosed with chronic pain. How NCV tests work, and what to expect if you have an NCV.
You may have to undergo an NCV, or nerve conduction velocity test, when you are diagnosed with chronic pain. How NCV tests work, and what to expect if you have an NCV.
Symptoms / Diagnosis
The difference between chronic pain and acute pain. Symptoms of chronic pain by pain type, including headache pain, back pain, joint pain and nerve pain. All about testing and diagnosing chronic pain.
The difference between chronic pain and acute pain. Symptoms of chronic pain by pain type, including headache pain, back pain, joint pain and nerve pain. All about testing and diagnosing chronic pain.
What Is a CT Scan, and How Does it Work?
Your doctor may order a CT scan to get a series of contrasting images of your body. What to expect if you are having a CT scan.
Your doctor may order a CT scan to get a series of contrasting images of your body. What to expect if you are having a CT scan.
What is a Bone Scan, and How Does it Work?
Your doctor may order a bone scan to diagnose certain types of chronic pain. What to expect when having a bone scan.
Your doctor may order a bone scan to diagnose certain types of chronic pain. What to expect when having a bone scan.
What is an X-ray, and How Is It Done?
Your doctor may order an X-ray to help diagnose your chronic pain. What to expect if you are having an X-ray.
Your doctor may order an X-ray to help diagnose your chronic pain. What to expect if you are having an X-ray.
What is an MRI, and How Does if Work?
Your doctor may order an MRI when diagnosing your chronic pain. What to expect during your MRI.
Your doctor may order an MRI when diagnosing your chronic pain. What to expect during your MRI.
Common Tests for Chronic Pain
You may have heard of an MRI or a bone scan, but do you what it's like to have one? Descriptions of the tools most commonly used to diagnose chronic pain.
You may have heard of an MRI or a bone scan, but do you what it's like to have one? Descriptions of the tools most commonly used to diagnose chronic pain.
Can You Rate Your Pain?
Ever wonder why your doctor wants you to give your pain a number? The most commonly used pain scales, and why you should be familiar with them.
Ever wonder why your doctor wants you to give your pain a number? The most commonly used pain scales, and why you should be familiar with them.
Diagnosing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can take many months to diagnose. Your doctor will want to rule out other possible causes for your pain using several kinds of tests, including blood analysis and imaging.
Chronic pain can take many months to diagnose. Your doctor will want to rule out other possible causes for your pain using several kinds of tests, including blood analysis and imaging.
Helpful Communication Tools for People With Chronic Pain
The American Chronic Pain Association's guide to effective communication, including quality of life scale, pain log, medical care card and follow-up visit reminder tool.
The American Chronic Pain Association's guide to effective communication, including quality of life scale, pain log, medical care card and follow-up visit reminder tool.
Measuring Pain's Intensity
The National Institutes of Health Pain Consortium master list of pain scales: a guide to communicating the intensity of your pain using numbers, faces and descriptors.
The National Institutes of Health Pain Consortium master list of pain scales: a guide to communicating the intensity of your pain using numbers, faces and descriptors.
Common Diagnostic Tools for Chronic Pain
What to expect during testing: Spine Universe's guide to common tests for chronic pain, including X-rays, MRIs, CT imaging and bone scans.
What to expect during testing: Spine Universe's guide to common tests for chronic pain, including X-rays, MRIs, CT imaging and bone scans.