Diagnostic Labels

Diagnostic labels can be highly valuable when immediate treatment can prevent death or severe damage. Diagnostic labels are created by grouping signs and symptoms into a named condition. Diagnostic labels can become counterproductive when chronic functional imbalances are treated as if the label were the root problem. Modern medical care commonly identifies signs and symptoms, assigns a diagnosis, and selects treatment based on that label. A diagnostic label may organize information in chronic conditions but should not become the treatment target by itself.