Typically, healthcare providers will ask a series of questions regarding your pain and ask you to perform some simple mobility exercises so they can have a full understanding of the extent of the pain. They may ask you to rate the back pain intensity on a scale, if the pain impedes day-to-day functions, and whether performing certain tasks is more difficult than others. Having a comprehensive understanding of how the pain is impacting you will help determine the proper diagnosis and severity of your condition. Healthcare providers may look to medical imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to help determine the source of the pain if necessary. This allows isolated, detailed viewing of problem areas that may not be visible from the outside. This can help deduce possible causes and may determine the cause outright, leading to a proper diagnosis. Once the pain is diagnosed, the physician will curate a plan that meets your unique needs and let you know how to move forward.