When I was in the 8th grade, I threw my back out in between bells and have had chronic back pain since. As a dancer, this did not help my profession. Now, at 31, I still wake up with the aches. If I sleep in a weird position, on a different bed (hotel mattresses are the worst), or have my neck elevated even slightly too high or too low, my poor back throbs. I have tried yoga, Pilates, stretching, massages, flipping my mattress, getting new mattresses, sleeping on alternate sides of the bed, hot showers, you name it. Not wanting to take a Bayer everyday like an oldster, I began researching other alternatives. Advancing technology has taken on a whole new spectrum of therapies for chronic back pain. Surgery may be an option, but now there are many outpatient procedures that provide back pain relief. Here are important things I have found out in my quest for pain relief - Find a great doctor.
The internet is a wonderful tool in researching doctors in your area and beyond that have the specific qualifications you are looking for. Do your homework. When searching for a doctor, make sure he/she is well versed in spine pain management, pain relief, and chronic back pain issues. Also, treat your first visit with them as a test. You want your doctor to take your symptoms seriously and show genuine concern. Your doctor should focus on you, not themselves, and make secure eye contact. It is also imperative that your new doctor be knowledgeable of advanced therapies and alternative medicines. Keep in mind that doctors see a lot of patients. You must place emphasis on your most important issues and symptoms. Some doctors have a habit of honing in on key words you mention and making quick diagnoses. It's important that your doctor listen to your specific problems and develop a few different resolutions. By following these simple practices, you will be able to find a great doctor who can lead you to the road to recovery.
