Hitch Fit Living Magazine Volume 7 - July/August 2016 | Page 36

The problem with musculoskeletal diagnoses is that it is very rare to have no abnormal findings, even if you
are completely pain free. MRI studies have repeatedly shown that 40-75% of PAIN FREE individuals have
disc bulges or disc herniations. Fifty percent of PAIN FREE males over the age of 50 have a rotator cuff
tear in their shoulder. Almost seventy percent of PAIN FREE individuals have a hip labrum tear. If we
relied on diagnosis, this would mean unnecessary therapy, injections or surgery for all of these patients,
despite being pain free.
So if diagnosis isn’t the main part of examination, what is? Classification. Categorizing a patient’s
symptoms into a pain syndrome class is where modern medicine is heading in regards to musculoskeletal
injuries. Is your pain due to a joint issue (a derangement classification)? Then you may need repeated
movements or adjustments. Is it due to a problem with a muscle (dysfunction)? You would respond well to
muscle therapy and exercises. Is the pain constant, does not change with movement and worseneing? It
may be chemical pain, which would need an injection or anti-inflammatory medications.
Our goal isn’t to change x-ray or MRI findings, our goal is to get patients to have a functional and pain free
life. If you have pain, don’t worry about your diagnosis. Let somebody classify your pain.

Dr. Jeff Remsburg is a chiropractor at Active
Health Solutions: Chiropractic & Rehab, located
in Prairie Village, Kansas. The clinic focuses on
combining cutting edge chiropractic care with the
latest in exercise and rehabilitation for pain
treatment and performance enhancement. You can
find more information about their clinic by visiting
their website at www.activehealthKC.com or by
calling 913-341-1200.