In routine clinical practice there has been a tendency for clinical examinations to become more cursory, largely influenced by increasing demands of time and patient expectations of technological advances. The end result may arguably lead to an overreliance upon technology for basic clinical diagnosis. This session will provide an introduction and/or review of basic imaging studies used for the diagnosis of pain related problems. Special attention will be given to the limitations of such studies and the importance of establishing clinical relevance to their findings. Factors that adversely affect clinical management potentially resulting in failed treatment will be discussed, as well as best practices and clinical pearls when utilizing any of these studies to help enhance clinical outcomes for treatment.