At Montgomery Pain Institute, your first visit is designed to focus on your pain, its causes, and the best treatment options to manage it effectively. During your appointment, our pain specialists will conduct a physical and neurological examination and review your medical history, paying special attention to your pain history. Expect to be asked specific questions about your pain, such as:
- How would you rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10?
- When did your pain begin?
- What activity were you doing when the pain started?
- Does the pain radiate to other parts of your body?
- Is the pain constant, or does it vary throughout the day or night?
- What treatments or remedies have you tried, and what has worked or failed?
- Do you take any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, or prescription medications?
Our specialists often use a body pain diagram for you to mark areas where you feel pain, helping us track your progress over time. If necessary, we may order diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI studies to better understand your condition.
In some cases, further tests like discography, bone scans, nerve studies, or myelography may be required. Your treatment plan might also involve consultations with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, or physical therapists.