What Kind of Test is That?

When you visit your doctor for the first time about your back pain, there are several simple tests he or she will do. The doctor wants to find out if you have any spine problems or if the pain is coming from the muscles surrounding the spine.   Diagnosing the source of back pain can be hard to do and the doctor isn’t going to jump to any conclusions without testing. The tests start real simple and then get progressively more complicated if necessary.

The first step in diagnosing back pain is the simple office physical.  The doctor will have you lie on your back and will lift each leg straight up.  If there’s no pain in the leg when this is done there’s probably no nerve damage.  The doctor will also test for reflexes, muscle strength and skin sensations.  As you can tell the physician is looking for signs any nerves are damaged.   It’s good news if you pass these first tests.