Preparing for Your Consultation
A little preparation can make a consultation more productive — but none of it is required to request an appointment. Here is what tends to help, and what you might want to ask.
What You'll Learn
Approx. 3–4 min read- Which records are most helpful to bring
- How to organize your history before the visit
- Good questions to ask your physician
- What to expect from the conversation
Records That Are Helpful to Gather
If you have them, these can give your physician a fuller picture. If you don't, that's okay — bring what you have.
- MRI reports (if available)
- MRI images (on a disc or via your portal)
- Operative reports from previous spine surgery (if applicable)
- A list of prior treatments and how they helped (PT, injections, medication)
- Your current medications and doses
- A brief timeline of your pain (when it began, how it changed)
Please do not upload medical images through this website. Ask the physician's office how to share records securely if needed.
Organizing Your History
A clear history often points toward the source of pain more than any single image. A few notes beforehand can help.
When it began
How and when your pain started, and how it has changed over time.
What it feels like
Where the pain sits, and whether it stays central or travels.
What changes it
What makes it better or worse — sitting, bending, standing, activity.
What you've tried
Previous treatments and how your body responded to each.
Questions to Ask Your Physician
There are no wrong questions. These are a few that patients often find useful.
Could my pain be vertebrogenic?
Whether the endplates and basivertebral nerve may be contributing.
What did my MRI show?
What your imaging means in the context of your symptoms.
What are my options?
The full range of options, conservative and procedural.
Is BVNA appropriate for me?
Whether basivertebral nerve ablation fits your individual situation.
About Your Medication List
A current, accurate medication list — including doses and anything you take occasionally — helps your physician understand your overall care. If it is easier, a photo of your medication labels or a printout from your pharmacy works well.
Continue Your Learning
A few short reads that can make your consultation more informed.