CMC – Metro Atlanta Pain
What is Muscle & Reflex Testing?
There are several conditions and injuries that can lead to chronic back pain, impacting different systems in the body, including the central nervous system, skeletal system, and muscular system. To accurately diagnose the underlying cause, doctors often conduct various tests to identify weaknesses in these systems.
As part of the physical examination, the doctor will typically assess a patient’s muscular strength, nerves, and reflexes, which are crucial in determining specific issues like sciatica, herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other significant spinal conditions. These tests play a vital role in pinpointing the diagnosis.
- Epidural Steroid injections
- Selective Nerve Root Blocks
- Transforaminal Injections
- Trigger Point Injections
- Joint Injections
- Knee Injections
- Shoulder Injections
- Hip Injections
- Spinal Injections
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Prolotherapy
- Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
- Botox Injections
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Intrathecal Pump
- Endoscopic Discectomy
- Percutaneous Disc Decompression
- Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty (IDET)
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Medical Orthotics
- Medication Management
- Chronic Opioid Therapy
- Muscle & Reflex Testing
- Fluoroscopy
- Lumbar Kyphoplasty
- Non-Surgical Pain Treatments
DURING A PHYSICAL EXAM, YOUR DOCTOR MAY ASK YOU TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS:
DURING A PHYSICAL EXAM, YOUR DOCTOR MAY ASK YOU TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS:
Some of the Most Common Factors that Can Lead to the Development of the Condition include:
- Walking on the soles of your feet
- Walking on your heels
- Walking on your toes
These tests help assess the strength of the leg muscles and identify any nerve damage caused by degenerative spinal abnormalities.
For the reflex test, the doctor will gently tap your knee and the back of your heel with a rubber hammer. If your reflexes are normal, the impact of the hammer should elicit a clear twitch in the tested leg.
MUSCLE AND REFLEX TESTING INDICATES NERVE DAMAGE
Reflexes serve as a general assessment of neural function and can be either heightened or diminished. The size of the reflex response helps determine the source of dysfunction. For example, an exaggerated response may suggest spasticity resulting from a central nervous system injury. Conversely, difficulty walking on heels or toes, or a weak or absent reflex, could indicate nerve damage or compression due to conditions like a bulging or prolapsed disc, or peripheral nerve damage.
Each spinal nerve root consists of two types of fibers: motor fibers, responsible for muscle movement, and sensory fibers, which provide sensation to specific areas of the body known as dermatomes. When weakness is found in a particular muscle group supplied by a nerve root (myotome), it suggests damage to the corresponding nerve, often caused by compressed nerve roots due to disc injuries.
Located in Metro Atlanta, Comprehensive Medical Clinic is renowned for its compassionate and respectful approach to patient care. The clinic prioritizes the overall well-being of its patients and employs a unique pain management approach, utilizing various minimally invasive techniques for optimal results. Contact us at 470-766-7246 to schedule an initial appointment.
Why Choose Comprehensive Medical Clinic to Treat Your Pain Condition?
- Non-Surgical Approach
- State-of-the-Art Equipment
- Immediate Appointments
- Effective Treatment Plans
- Accepts Most All Insurance Plans
- Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff
- Convenient Location
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 8am – 12pm
Sunday: Closed
PHONE NUMBER
FAX NUMBER
(770) 423-9503
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