When you hurt the priority is to make it go away, quickly. The problem with back pain is it takes a bit of time to settle and usually takes a combined of manual therapy, corrective exercise and optimisation of a few lifestyle factors. If you are keen to sort out why you’re hurting but are skeptical about how your doctor can help read on for my 5 top tips for speaking to your GP about getting your back pain sorted.
A GP checks and more often than not rules out urgent, serious and sinister issues and is then the gateway to further treatment options. Personally, I’ve found that having a plan about what I would like to discuss with my GP before my appointment helps me to get the questions I have answered and also directs the conversation towards what is next in the process.
A whole approach
Back pain often needs a comprehensive approach which may include pain relief, physiotherapy, medical review and possible further investigations. Go in with a mindset of taking a whole approach to getting better. A whole approach means taking on board all systems of your health and using more than one method to manage your back pain.
pain medications
You and your GP may agree that you may benefit from taking pain relief. Ask your GP how the pain medication works - I always find if I know how something works I find it works better. Make sure you know the any possible side affects and talk to your doctor about dosage and how long you should take it for. If you are not keen on taking pain medication ask you doctor about alternative forms of pain relief such as acupuncture, heat or massage. Be sure to ask about whether you would benefit from a review with a sports doctor, consultant or physiotherapist.
Be specific
Notice patterns of pain, when the pain occurs, when it gets worse and what makes it get worse. What makes it get better? Does it ease throughout the day? All this information helps your GP to make a decision about how best to help you.
What is the plan
Ask your GP what the plan is and what the next steps are. If you already know how you would like to manage your back pain discuss this with the GP. If a referral is indicated ask who you will be referred to and why.
Imaging
GPs will likely refer to a physiotherapist, sports doctor or consultant for the management of back pain. It is common to start with a course of physiotherapy but sometimes a GP may refer you straight to a consultant or sports doctor. It is at this stage imaging (ultrasound, x-ray, MRi, spect scans) are discussed and potentially ordered. Talk to your GP about whether you need a scan and if not now when it may be an option.
Please note that a scan can be useful adding more information about your anatomy with respect to your presentation, but it is a snapshot of you when you are still. The body is infinitely more complex. A scan, if indicated is added to the information about your presentation - it doesn’t supersede it.