How Do You Discuss Back Pain With A Doctor?
Many people suffer from some degree of back pain and find relief with occasional over the counter medication. But for more than 70 million people in the U.S., the pain sticks around, interfering with their lives and dictating their level of activity and mobility. If you’re one who has been suffering in silence, it’s time to make an appointment and discuss your back pain with a doctor. Think about how to describe the pain to your doctor. Use adjectives, such as dull, throbbing, searing, stabbing or radiating. He or she will want to know where the pain is located and how it travels through your body. You will usually be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being “extreme.” Tell your doctor when the pain started and if it was associated with any particular activity, such as running, bending over, falling, etc. It will be important for diagnostic purposes to know what makes it feel better, what makes it feel worse, what medication you’ve taken and if and how it has helped or n
