Musculoskeletal pain is among the most common encountered by any clinician in an ambulatory care practice, including urgent care. This presentation will illustrate directed history taking and basic exams when patients present with common neuromusculoskeletal pain complaints, emphasizing the importance of the clinical evaluation as opposed to imaging tests. We will discuss the importance of knowing the limitations and pitfalls of imaging tests in the evaluation of spinal pain conditions, particularly in the setting of chronic spinal pain and potential secondary gains/disability. The relevant literature will be discussed in detail, using clinical scenarios and illustrative cases. Other common complaints such as joint pain (shoulder, hip, knee) will also be presented. A case will be made about the importance of regaining patient trust by improving face-to-face communication to deter belief in online sources rather than healthcare providers.