Why Imaging Doesn’t Always Match Pain in Veterans
Download MP3Many veterans experience chronic pain even when imaging studies such as MRIs or X-rays appear normal. This can be frustrating and confusing, especially when symptoms are real but diagnostic tests do not provide clear answers.
In this episode, we explore why imaging does not always correlate with pain in veterans. We discuss how the nervous system processes pain, why structural findings on imaging do not always explain symptoms, and how chronic stress, prior injuries, and nervous system sensitization can influence pain perception.
Understanding the science behind pain can help explain why some veterans continue to experience symptoms even when traditional imaging studies appear normal.
Topics Covered
- Why imaging findings don’t always explain pain
- How the nervous system processes pain signals
- The difference between structural injury and pain perception
- Why some imaging abnormalities cause no symptoms
- Chronic pain and nervous system sensitization in veterans
- Why pain can persist even after injuries heal
Creators and Guests
Host
Leah Bucholz
Leah Bucholz is an Army combat veteran, board-certified Physician Assistant, former VA C&P examiner, and the founder of Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting. Through her work in medical evidence review and veteran education, Leah helps veterans better understand the medical side of the VA disability process, including nexus letters, DBQs, C&P exams, and complex medical opinions. She is also the host of The Veterans Disability Nexus podcast, where she discusses VA disability medical evidence from an educational and evidence-based perspective.
