Chronic pain isn’t always simple — and treating it effectively starts with knowing exactly where it’s coming from.



At iSCORE – Interventional Spine Care & Orthopedic Regenerative Experts, we believe accurate diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. Advanced diagnostic testing allows our physicians to pinpoint the true pain generator before creating a targeted treatment plan.

Instead of guessing — we gather objective data.

EMG Testing: Evaluating Nerve & Muscle Function

Electrodiagnostic testing, including EMG (Electromyography), measures how well your nerves communicate with your muscles.

EMG testing is commonly used to evaluate:

• Sciatica
• Nerve compression
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Radiculopathy
• Unexplained muscle weakness

During the test, small sensors measure electrical activity in muscles and nerves to determine whether pain originates from nerve dysfunction or another structural source.

This helps differentiate between muscle-related pain and nerve-related conditions — guiding precise treatment decisions.

Discograms: Identifying Painful Spinal Discs

An MRI may show disc degeneration or bulging — but it does not always confirm whether a disc is actually causing pain. That’s where a discogram becomes valuable.

A discogram involves:

• Injecting contrast into a spinal disc
• Applying controlled pressure
• Monitoring whether the injection reproduces the patient’s pain

If symptoms are recreated during the procedure, it confirms that the tested disc is likely the pain source.

This diagnostic clarity is especially important when considering regenerative procedures or surgical intervention.

Nerve Blocks: Pinpointing Pain at Its Source

Diagnostic nerve blocks help determine whether a specific nerve or joint is responsible for chronic pain.

Common examples include:

• Medial branch blocks for facet joint pain
• Selective nerve root blocks
• Peripheral nerve blocks
• Sacroiliac joint injections

These procedures temporarily numb targeted nerves or joints.

If pain significantly improves after the injection, it confirms the suspected structure as the pain generator — and guides further treatment such as radiofrequency ablation or targeted therapy.

Nerve blocks serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Imaging vs Functional Testing: Why Both Matter

Many patients assume that imaging alone provides a complete diagnosis — but MRI and X-rays show structure, not always function.

Imaging Tests:

• Reveal disc degeneration
• Identify fractures
• Show arthritis
• Detect anatomical abnormalities

However, structural changes do not always equal pain.

Functional Testing:

• Evaluates nerve conduction
• Assesses joint behavior under stress
• Determines if symptoms can be reproduced clinically

At iSCORE, we combine imaging results with functional diagnostic procedures to create a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s condition.

Precision matters — especially in complex spine and joint cases.

Why Precise Diagnosis Improves Outcomes

Accurate testing leads to:

✔ Targeted treatment plans

✔ Reduced unnecessary procedures

✔ Better procedural success rates

✔ Avoidance of ineffective therapies

✔ Faster pain relief

When we identify the true source of pain, treatment becomes focused and efficient — whether that includes injections, regenerative medicine, advanced interventions, or interventional procedures.

Better diagnosis means better results.

Start With Answers — Not Assumptions

If you’ve been living with unexplained or persistent pain, advanced diagnostic testing may provide the clarity needed to move forward with the right treatment plan.

At iSCORE, we serve patients in Arcadia, Glendale, and Palmdale with expert evaluation and cutting-edge pain diagnostics. Call (818) 338-6860 or (626) 460-1096 to schedule an appointment and begin with an accurate assessment of your condition.

Let’s find the source of your pain — and build a treatment plan that actually works.