Diagnosing spine problems
More about: spine, back pain. Before your doctor can diagnose your health problems to recommend a treatment, it would be good to know the entire history: when the pain started, what factors caused the pain, lifestyle, if the family had similar problems, etc.. The more you give more information, the easier it will be diagnosed your state of health. Specifically, talking to your doctor (medical history) should consider the following aspects:
* If you had an accident;
* Where you feel the pain more intensely;
* If the pain radiates to other parts of the body;
* If you had or feel sensations of numbness or weakness;
* What are the factors that increase pain;
* If you had these problems and above;
* If you recently lost weight, you have fever or you feel bad;
* If you had problems with bladder or stomach.
Physical examination. At this stage, manages to correctly identify the medical causes that have caused pain. He will test:
* The functionality of the spine (if you feel pain when you twist, lean or you walk, where you feel this pain, if you have lost flexibility);
* Your muscle strength. You will be asked to lift the arm, hand or leg when light resistance is opposed;
* Pain – the doctor will try to find out if you have tenderness in certain areas;
* Sensory changes – if you feel certain sensations in certain areas of the foot or hand;
* Reflexes – will be tested the tendon reflexes, such as the knee and ankle behind the Achilles tendon;
* Motor skills – you may be asked to walk on heels or toes;
* Any other areas or signs that could indicate possible spinal problems.
Diagnostic tests are needed to determine your state of health. They are made according to the suspected factors that could lead to such diseases.
