INITIAL ASSESSMENT

What the physician sees, hears, and feels when examining a patient is the first and most important test.

Medical History

Various aspects of a patient's life often reveal relevant information, including changes in daily habits, previous sport injuries, motor-vehicle accidents, previous falls and fractures leading to chronic pain. Illness, such as diabetes, cancer or hormonal disorders, can also induce or exacerbate pains syndromes. Understanding these dynamics is important for identifying root causes of pain and recommending the appropriate treatment.

Physical Examination

A physician will assess a patient's structural alignment for symmetry and conduct a movement analysis in order to evaluate the function of major muscle groups. The vertebrae of the spine are carefully examined for rotations or displacements that may induce deviation from normal spinal curvatures. The physical examination allows the physician to categorize an injury and also gives the patients the opportunity to learn how structural abnormalities affect their pain.

Schedule Appointment