How Your Chiropractor Diagnoses Joint Pain

Aches and pains may be a part of life, but you shouldn’t have to let these annoyances disrupt your daily routine. If you are experiencing joint pain, there could be several different causes. Once you know the culprit, you’ll understand how you can effectively treat it and find relief. Your chiropractor will help you get to the bottom of these issues so you can enjoy pain-free joints. Determining what is causing these problems is a multi-step approach.

Consultation

The first thing your chiropractor will do is meet with you to discuss your symptoms. He or she will ask you about how long you have been experiencing the pain and where it is most prevalent. You should be open and descriptive as you talk about your ailments. The chiropractor will ask specific follow-up questions such as whether certain activities aggravate the joint pain. Based on your answers, your chiropractor may have a good idea of what is causing your discomfort.

Physical Examination

To get more information about your joint pain, the chiropractor will next do a hands-on examination. He or she will focus on the areas where the pain is most intense, checking your range of motion, flexibility, and tenderness in the joints. The chiropractor may listen for popping sounds and may feel that something is out of place while touching the joint.

X-Rays

This detailed picture can confirm the chiropractor’s diagnosis. it may also provide insight into your condition when the other strategies are inconclusive. X-rays can reveal structural problems with the bones, including fractures, herniated discs, bone spurs, or other serious issues.

MRI

This imaging test is similar to an x-ray but uses a different method. X-rays use radiation, while an MRI uses magnetic waves. Like an x-ray, an MRI is good for revealing problems with the bones. However, these pictures are more useful in giving the chiropractor pictures of your ligaments and tendons. This also is the preferred choice if you have spinal pain.

What Happens Next

Your chiropractor may use a combination of these diagnostic measures. Depending on his or her findings, an appropriate treatment will ensue. You may need surgery, but more likely, medication can relieve your pain. Visiting a chiropractor, like a chiropractor from Lotus Wellness Center, can also be the right solution to joint pain.

If you have pain in your joints, don’t put off going to the chiropractor’s office. A skilled chiropractor can accurately diagnose your condition and start treating you so you can feel freedom from pain.