Your health care provider(s) will be able to help you most if you work as
a team. Exchanging information is an important part of the work of the team. Some ways to
make the most of the exchange:
Describe your symptoms during your appointments. Keeping notes will help you remember
the times of day /night that you hurt, what makes the pain better or worse, what effect
pain medicine/ice/therapy has. A family member may be helpful with details if pain and
medication interfere.
Ask questions about your care. It is easier to perform therapy or
exercises regularly if you understand what effect they will have on your recovery.
Explain your usual activities to your provider(s). Gradual return to
usual activity is recommended but your provider needs to know what those activities are.
Lifting heavy weights may need to be limited until you are well on the way to recovery.
Ask questions about the management of your pain. Medication is only one
of the treatments for Low Back Pain, other treatments may reduce pain also. Your pain may
not completely resolve for days to weeks but treatment can make the pain manageable.
Attend your regularly scheduled appointments with your providers. Follow
the recommended course of treatment or tell the provider what you have decided not to
follow and your reasons for your decision.
