Thank you for choosing Spinal Diagnostics as your healthcare provider. We are happy to guide you through your recovery path from chronic conditions and back pain.

Understanding the diagnostic process to identify any back, neck, or other spinal issues is crucial to help you process your treatment journey more effectively.

To provide you with a diagnosis, our team at Spinal Diagnostics will perform multiple tests. These may range from physical examinations to imaging tests and diagnostic injections. The ideal diagnostic tools will depend on your case and the extent of damage to your spine.

Performing evaluation tests help us gather critical information to identify any issues and offer an accurate diagnosis promptly.

Before performing any diagnostic tests, your doctor will evaluate your physical health state and medical history. This may involve asking questions about your symptoms, previous injuries, and whether you or your family members have other genetic medical conditions.

Then, your doctor will examine your lumbar region, including your neck, back, and legs, to identify any abnormalities within the structure.

Imaging tests help accurately visualize the structure of your spine, bones, and joints in your lumbar spine. Imaging tests may include the following:

• X-Rays help provide a basic overview of your spine structure. If you’ve suffered from fractures or degenerative changes, X-Rays will help your doctor identify them. 
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to develop detailed images of your nerves, soft tissues, and bones. MRIs are especially helpful in identifying conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spinal tumors. 
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan uses multiple X-ray images to create a cross-sectional view of your lumbar spine. Your doctor will perform a CT scan to identify degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. 
• Electromyography (EMG) tests are crucial to identify any issues related to your nerves or muscles. Conditions like peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, or muscle disorders can be accurately identified with this imaging test. 

Injections can have pain management uses but also help numb specific areas of your body to pinpoint the source of your pain.

By temporarily reducing swelling and blocking nerve transmission, your doctor can identify the specific area of your spine that’s causing discomfort. The types of injections used as diagnostic tools include:

• Facet joint injections
• Epidural injections
• Selective nerve root blocks

Once your doctor has performed all the needed tests, they will carefully evaluate them to consider all possible results. Your symptoms, medical history, and imaging tests will help you reach an accurate diagnosis.

By doing so, you can be sure that our team at Spinal Diagnostics will help you determine the best treatment plan for your condition. Our multidisciplinary approach helps patients manage their pain symptoms while reducing the need for invasive treatments or narcotic medications.

At Spinal Diagnostics, we focus on spinal and neuropathic pain management. Our team of specialists is a recognized leader in clinical research and offers you updated diagnostic processes and treatment options.

We have dedicated our practice to improving our patient’s quality of life without using opiate medications or traditional spine surgery. Over ten years of experience makes us the top choice for those with back and neck pain.

If you want to learn more about the treatments we offer, call us, schedule an appointment online, or visit our locations in Tualatin and Newberg, Oregon.