{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T11:18:10+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T11:18:10+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:03:05+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34038"},"slug":"body-mind-spirit","categoryId":34038},{"name":"Physical Health & Well-Being","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34095"},"slug":"physical-health-well-being","categoryId":34095},{"name":"Common Ailments","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34181"},"slug":"common-ailments","categoryId":34181},{"name":"Aches & Pains","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34182"},"slug":"aches-pains","categoryId":34182}],"title":"How to Be Proactive when Treating Your Back Pain","strippedTitle":"how to be proactive when treating your back pain","slug":"how-to-be-proactive-when-treating-your-back-pain","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Finding permanent relief from back pain requires you to be a proactive patient. You should feel comfortable with all the tests your doctor wants you to have, an","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Finding permanent relief from back pain requires you to be a proactive patient. You should feel comfortable with all the tests your doctor wants you to have, and understand the treatments that could be available to you.</p>\n<p>If your doctor recommends that you have a medical test for your back problem, you should get answers to the following check-up questions first:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What is the name of the test, and what do you expect to learn from it?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Why is the test performed, and why am I being advised to have it?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What can I expect before, during, and after the test?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What does it mean if the test is positive or negative?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>How is the test related to developing a treatment plan for me?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Be an active partner with your doctor in the treatment of your back problem. The following checklist helps you get the answers you need:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Why are you recommending this treatment for me?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What benefit should I expect, and how long will it take to determine if the treatment is working?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Are there any possible problems that can occur with this treatment? What should I do if these occur?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Is there any problem doing this treatment along with the other treatments I am pursuing?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","description":"<p>Finding permanent relief from back pain requires you to be a proactive patient. You should feel comfortable with all the tests your doctor wants you to have, and understand the treatments that could be available to you.</p>\n<p>If your doctor recommends that you have a medical test for your back problem, you should get answers to the following check-up questions first:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What is the name of the test, and what do you expect to learn from it?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Why is the test performed, and why am I being advised to have it?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What can I expect before, during, and after the test?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What does it mean if the test is positive or negative?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>How is the test related to developing a treatment plan for me?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Be an active partner with your doctor in the treatment of your back problem. The following checklist helps you get the answers you need:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Why are you recommending this treatment for me?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>What benefit should I expect, and how long will it take to determine if the treatment is working?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Are there any possible problems that can occur with this treatment? What should I do if these occur?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Is there any problem doing this treatment along with the other treatments I am pursuing?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9423,"name":"Michael S. Sinel","slug":"michael-s-sinel","description":" Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9423"}},{"authorId":9424,"name":"William W. Deardorff","slug":"william-w-deardorff","description":" Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9424"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34182,"title":"Aches & Pains","slug":"aches-pains","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34182"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":207667,"title":"Back Pain Remedies For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"back-pain-remedies-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207667"}},{"articleId":151933,"title":"Finding the Right Doctor to Treat Back Pain","slug":"finding-the-right-doctor-to-treat-back-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/151933"}},{"articleId":151930,"title":"Warning Signs: When to See a Doctor for Back Pain","slug":"warning-signs-when-to-see-a-doctor-for-back-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/151930"}},{"articleId":151928,"title":"How to Manage Back Pain","slug":"how-to-manage-back-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/151928"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":207667,"title":"Back Pain Remedies For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"back-pain-remedies-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207667"}},{"articleId":199882,"title":"Listening to Your Pain","slug":"listening-to-your-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199882"}},{"articleId":198519,"title":"How to Prevent and Treat Knee Pain","slug":"how-to-prevent-and-treat-knee-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/198519"}},{"articleId":198514,"title":"How to Treat Lower-Back Pain","slug":"how-to-treat-lower-back-pain","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/198514"}},{"articleId":198412,"title":"Stress Fractures","slug":"stress-fractures","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/198412"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281971,"slug":"back-pain-remedies-for-dummies","isbn":"9780764551321","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764551329/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0764551329/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0764551329-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0764551329/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0764551329/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/back-pain-remedies-for-dummies-cover-9780764551321-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Back Pain Remedies For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation.","authors":[{"authorId":9423,"name":"Michael S. Sinel","slug":"michael-s-sinel","description":" Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9423"}},{"authorId":9424,"name":"William W. Deardorff","slug":"william-w-deardorff","description":" Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9424"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780764551321"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221759c1a38\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["body-mind-spirit","physical-health-well-being","common-ailments","aches-pains"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780764551321"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221759c1fcf\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":151932},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-03-04T05:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article4","path":"/article/body-mind-spirit/physical-health-well-being/common-ailments/aches-pains/how-to-be-proactive-when-treating-your-back-pain-151932/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"body-mind-spirit","category2":"physical-health-well-being","category3":"common-ailments","category4":"aches-pains","article":"how-to-be-proactive-when-treating-your-back-pain-151932"},"fullPath":"/article/body-mind-spirit/physical-health-well-being/common-ailments/aches-pains/how-to-be-proactive-when-treating-your-back-pain-151932/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

How to Be Proactive when Treating Your Back Pain

By: Michael S. Sinel and William W. Deardorff and

Updated: 03-26-2016

From The Book: Back Pain Remedies For Dummies

Back Pain Remedies For Dummies

Book image

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Finding permanent relief from back pain requires you to be a proactive patient. You should feel comfortable with all the tests your doctor wants you to have, and understand the treatments that could be available to you.

If your doctor recommends that you have a medical test for your back problem, you should get answers to the following check-up questions first:

What is the name of the test, and what do you expect to learn from it?
Why is the test performed, and why am I being advised to have it?
What can I expect before, during, and after the test?
What does it mean if the test is positive or negative?
How is the test related to developing a treatment plan for me?

Be an active partner with your doctor in the treatment of your back problem. The following checklist helps you get the answers you need:

Why are you recommending this treatment for me?
What benefit should I expect, and how long will it take to determine if the treatment is working?
Are there any possible problems that can occur with this treatment? What should I do if these occur?
Is there any problem doing this treatment along with the other treatments I am pursuing?

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Back Pain Remedies For Dummies ,

About the book authors:

Michael S. Sinel, MD, and William W. Deardorff, PhD, a clinical health psychologist, are renowned back specialists who teach at UCLA School of Medicine and practice at California Orthopedic and Rehabilitation.

This article can be found in the category:

Aches & Pains ,