A Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
Many patients who come to Origin Spine and Wellness have already tried multiple treatments.
They may have received medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other interventions, yet their symptoms continue to return or never fully resolve.
In many cases the issue is not a lack of treatment.
The issue is that the underlying contributors to the symptoms were never fully identified.
Understanding what is driving symptoms requires evaluating several systems of the body and how they interact.
Health Problems Rarely Have a Single Cause
Chronic symptoms often develop when multiple systems of the body are under stress.
For example, someone experiencing persistent fatigue or pain may have contributors involving:
• structural stress affecting the spine or joints
• neurological interference affecting movement or regulation
• biochemical stress affecting metabolism or inflammation
• emotional stress patterns affecting nervous system function
Because these systems interact, identifying the primary driver is an important step before deciding how to address the problem.
Step 1: Structural Evaluation
Many chronic symptoms involve structural stress affecting the spine, joints, or nervous system.
Evaluation may include orthopedic and neurological examination along with structural assessment of the spine and surrounding joints.
When structural stress patterns are present, chiropractic correction may help restore normal function and reduce irritation affecting the nervous system.
Step 2: Neurological and Functional Evaluation
If symptoms persist or appear to involve multiple systems, additional evaluation may be used to assess how the nervous system is regulating movement and physiology.
Applied kinesiology testing is used as part of this process to evaluate interactions between muscles, nerves, and other body systems.
This type of testing can help identify patterns that may not be detected through routine examination alone.
Step 3: Functional Diagnostic Medicine
Some chronic conditions involve deeper biochemical contributors affecting metabolism, immune function, digestion, or hormonal regulation.
When evaluation suggests biochemical factors may be involved, functional medicine investigation may be recommended.
This approach is based on the Functional Diagnostic Medicine model taught through Functional Medicine University, which focuses on identifying underlying contributors to chronic illness using advanced laboratory analysis and clinical pattern recognition.
This process allows evaluation of systems such as:
• metabolic and nutritional function
• gut health and digestion
• immune and inflammatory regulation
• hormonal balance
Step 4: Emotional Stress Patterns
In some cases, unresolved emotional stress patterns can affect nervous system regulation and contribute to physical symptoms.
When evaluation suggests this may be relevant, Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) may be used to help identify and address stress-related patterns affecting health.
Why This Process Matters
Two people may share the same diagnosis but require very different approaches to care.
A patient with chronic fatigue may primarily need metabolic or nutritional support.
Another may need structural correction affecting nervous system regulation.
Another may need evaluation of stress-related patterns affecting the body.
Identifying the primary driver allows care to be directed more precisely.
Your First Step
If you are dealing with persistent symptoms that have not improved with previous treatment, the first step is a comprehensive evaluation.
This visit includes a detailed history and diagnostic assessment to determine which systems may be contributing to your symptoms.