How will my pain specialist make a diagnosis?

The pain specialist you choose will seek an accurate diagnosis by obtaining a detailed personal medical history, including information on symptoms, your activity level and diet, your home and work environment, and family medical history, and then doing a thorough medical examination. During this evaluation, it is important that you talk openly with your doctor to interpret the overall results of the total discussion, including the physical examination, the laboratory testing, and x-rays or other diagnostic tests. This will allow you to have a firm understanding of your pain problem and will be the basis for the treatment plan. Some questions your doctor may ask include: Where does it hurt? Can you describe the pain? (Pinching, throbbing, pressure, burning, crushing, piercing) When did the problem start? Is it the result of an injury? What other symptoms do you have? Does the pain stay the same or does it come and go? Have you had the problem before? How badly does it hurt on a scale of 1 to 10? (1 being not at all; 10 being unbearable) Have you had a previous diagnosis? Have you had medical treatment for the problem? Have you undergone unusual stress? Have you had surgery? Were you in an accident? During the physical examination, your doctor will particularly focus on area of pain. Your doctor will be looking for: obvious swelling, inflamed tissue or joint, redness or discoloration, loss of function, abnormal appearance, tenderness, loss of range of motion, Unusual lump, knot or bulge.