Diagnostic imaging in the form of X-rays, ultrasound imaging, MRI, and similar isn’t just about diagnosing problems. While many people suffering from various illnesses and injuries get the answers they seek, diagnostic imaging can also be an effective pain management strategy. Read on to learn how.
Preventing Potentially Troublesome Trial and Error
Healthcare professionals don’t always have all the answers. After listening to your symptoms, it’s not uncommon for them to recommend specific treatment options as a ‘hope for the best’ approach. This is because it’s not always easy to know based on listing symptoms whether an issue relates to musculoskeletal pain, visceral pain from internal organs, or neuropathic pain from herniated discs or similar.
Trial and error can be troublesome, especially when some treatments have the potential to worsen symptoms. However, diagnostic imaging removes that element of trial and error. When healthcare professionals accurately diagnose an issue based on results from an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, they can often provide the most effective, science-backed treatment options, where you have a high chance of experiencing the relief or resolution you deserve.
More Targeted Treatment Options
Pain can be complicated. While we know where we’re feeling it, the exact area it’s coming from can be hard to pinpoint. As a result, it’s all too easy to take pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and simply hope they alleviate your pain and discomfort.
However, diagnostic imaging can help doctors identify the specific problematic area and use more targeted treatment options, such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and even epidural steroid injections.
Progress Monitoring
Sometimes, treatment options that work for one person don’t work for another. It can also be hard for people in extreme pain to communicate how they’re feeling and whether they believe a particular treatment is helping or hindering.
While doctors can use diagnostic imaging to diagnose a problem, they can also use it to track their patients’ progress with the treatment options they have provided. Scans and images can evaluate the efficacy of a treatment, such as bone healing or inflammation reduction. They can also detect changes over time, like further degeneration. Healthcare professionals can then make more treatment decisions based on what they see, helping their patients manage their pain and overall health going forward.
Avoiding Unnecessary Surgery
Studies conducted on the opinions of physicians found that one-tenth of procedures performed were not needed. That means that some patients are being subjected to painful surgeries and long healing processes when they aren’t necessarily getting any benefit from them.
Diagnostic imaging may go a long way toward preventing some of those unnecessary surgeries. Doctors can use what they see on X-rays, ultrasound images, and MRI scans to confirm that surgical intervention isn’t needed. Instead, they can opt for more conservative approaches like injections, medication, and physical therapy.
Providing Helpful Information for Pain Procedures
Healthcare professionals have many targeted pain management options at their disposal, such as physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation. However, these forms of pain management and others require absolute precision to be the most helpful. Imaging enables healthcare professionals to see exactly where the issue is, so they know where to provide the targeted treatment.
Learn More About Diagnostic Imaging and Pain Management from the Team at Eclipse Clinic
The healthcare professionals at Eclipse Clinic are dedicated to helping you experience relief from your pain and discomfort. Ask us about our diagnostic imaging services, including MRI, ultrasound imaging, and X-ray, and how we can provide accurate and timely results for your peace of mind. Schedule your imaging appointment today.