The first step towards diagnosing the pain by a doctor is by learning the complete medical history of the symptoms experienced in the past fifteen days. In reviewing the spates of symptoms, the doctor will try to analyze the location, duration, intensity as well as the radiation of the pain. He, then, conducts a physical examination to note the marks of injury, if any, near the vicinity of the painful body part. Next, he makes a thorough account of the positions that aggravate as well as relieve the pain. Then, that painful region is put under scrutiny at its rest state as well as the state of motion.
 
Sometimes, the above methods do not reveal the real cause of the existing pain. In such cases, several laboratory tests are conducted to detect the root cause of the pain. One of the most popular tests is X-ray. This test gives a scanned copy of the disorders inside the body that has lead to the discomforting pain. X-rays are sometimes also accompanied by MRI test that reveals the activities of the neural element responsible for sending out the pain signals to the affected area. Other tests that aid in busting out the real cause of the pain are, Myelography/CT scanning and Electrodiagnostic studies.