Diagnosis at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation

Like many of you, I didn’t grow up with the internet. Still, it’s tough to imagine life without it. The pervasive influence of the online world is such that people rely on their computers for pretty much everything— their banking, shopping, and even their social lives.

Think about it: what’s the first thing you do when you experience a strange symptom? If you’re like pretty much everybody else, you run to the computer and get Google to diagnose your ailment. As most of you know, it’s pretty easy to fall down the rabbit hole of disease this way. A minor headache suddenly morphs into a fatal brain tumor. You may be having a heart attack or you might have just eaten too many hot wings during the game. But which is it? Where is the line between hypochondria (based on biased or incorrect information) and being well-informed?

I would never suggest that you simply ignore your symptoms—that’s also unwise. If you experience unsettling symptoms or abnormal sensations that do not resolve or go away on their own, it’s important to find out what’s going on. However, it’s also important to do this at a doctor’s office, not at home in front of a computer.

Diagnosis: Electrodiagnostic Nerve Testing, X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, and Ultrasound

As stated above, a lot of unsettling symptoms are related to the nerves. In particular, the compression or irritation of the spinal nerves can cause numbness, tingling, ‘shooting’ pains, burning sensations, and more. Electrodiagnostic Nerve Testing is a diagnostic process that allows Monmouth Pain’s physicians to discover exactly what is causing your disturbing symptoms. As part of a total diagnostic process, it is another tool used by our team of pain management specialists to design customized programs of pain management and rehabilitation.

In our office, we also use traditional x-ray, ultrasound technology, and fluoroscopy. Ultrasound obtains images of the musculoskeletal system using sound waves. Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that provides a real-time, moving image of affected body parts. Such images are transferred to a monitor to be viewed. Fluoroscopy is not only used for diagnosis, it is also often used in order to provide accurate and effective cortisone injections.

Common Symptoms

While internet self-diagnosis can be terrifying and counter-productive to wellness, becoming educated on your symptom/condition is always a good thing. Let’s take a look:

• Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, or Neck Pain: Most often, these painful conditions are caused by trauma (such as with an auto accident), age, or a combination of factors. Pain is these areas may be related to sports injuries, muscle/ligament injuries. disc injuries, sciatica, arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or fibromyalgia.
• Pain and Stiffness in the Neck/ Difficulty Moving the Head: These symptoms may be indicative of whiplash.

• Knee Symptoms, including Swelling, Redness, Warmth, and/or Instability: Experiencing any of these sensations may be a sign of arthritis.

• Stiffness or Swelling of any Joint: Again, arthritis may be the culprit.

• ‘Shooting’ Pains in the Leg and/or Pain, Numbness, and Weakness in the Leg: A patient suffering from any of these symptoms may be experiencing sciatica, possibly related to a disc injury or spinal stenosis.
• Hip Pain: Hip pain can be the result of a trauma, from arthritis, or as a symptom of sciatica.

• Muscle Pain: Chronic muscle pain can occur in those who have suffered an injury or in patients with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and many other conditions. Muscle pain may even be caused by emotional factors such as stress or depression.

• Numbness or Tingling: Such abnormal sensations can be attributed to sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, disc problems, vascular issues, or diabetes. Such symptoms really underscore this blog’s principle message—that correct diagnosis is essential.

Pain Management and Rehabilitation in Monmouth County

Okay, if you’re suffering from a painful injury or illness that requires safe, healthy, and effective solutions, it’s time to step away from the computer and get a real diagnosis. Contact our Monmouth County pain management office for help. Our Red Bank, NJ rehabilitation center provides diagnosis as well as medical services for pain management; physical therapy; acupuncture; and chiropractic treatment.