When you visit your healthcare provider for low back pain, they will do the following to better understand your pain and how to treat it:

• Ask you about your history, medicines, and symptoms.
• Ask you questions about your pain level and what makes the pain better or worse.
• Ask you to do certain tests such as range of movement and strength.
• Feel areas in your low back.

Other things to tell your healthcare provider

You are the most important part of your healthcare team. Tell your healthcare provider about the impact your low back pain is having on the things that are important to you, like your job, hobbies and interests, and relationships. Tell them what has worked for you in the past to manage your low back pain.

Making the most of your appointment

If you don’t understand what your healthcare team is telling you, let them know right away. Be open and honest. You might say:

• “It sounded like you said that I should… Did I understand that correctly?”
• “Can you show me a picture or model to help me understand?”

Learn more about working with your healthcare team and making the most of your appointment.