The spine specialists at Banner Health provide comprehensive, compassionate care for people living with back and neck pain. Before your care team can recommend the right treatment, they first need to understand the cause of your pain or symptoms.
Your visit may begin with a physical exam to see how your spine is working. Your specialist will check:
This information helps guide the next steps in testing and care.
To confirm a diagnosis, your specialist may order one or more of the following tests. These tools help identify the source of pain and which treatments may help you feel better.
X-rays take images of your bones and can show fractures, bone changes or signs of arthritis or tumors. X-rays are often the first step in evaluating back or neck pain. Learn more about X-rays.
MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues like discs, nerves and muscles. MRI can show inflammation or nerve pressure that may not appear on an X-ray. Learn more about MRI.
A CT scan provides a clear picture of the spine and surrounding tissues. It can help detect herniated discs, tumors and nerve problems. Learn more about CT scans.
A bone density scan measures bone strength and can diagnose bone loss such as osteoporosis in the spine as you age. Learn more about bone density scans.
These tests measure how well nerves and muscles are working. They help detect nerve damage or muscle weakness that may be contributing to pain.
Blood work can show signs of infection or other health concerns that may affect the spine.
A spinal tap tests fluid from around the brain and spinal cord to rule out infections or other neurological conditions. It may also be used to give medications or contrast dye for imaging. Learn more about spinal tap.
Once testing is complete and a diagnosis is made, your Banner Health team will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.
We understand that finding answers is important. We are here to guide you every step of the way.
Sign in to Patient Account
