Preparing for your doctor visit

Return to Index Step 1: What Is Low Back Pain?Step 2: Know Your Back Anatomy Step 3: Causes of Low Back Pain Step 4: Are You At Risk?Step 5: What To Do When Pain Begins Step 6: Seeing Your Doctor Step 7: What Tests Might Be Ordered?Step 8: When Is Low Back Pain A Serious Sign?Step 9: Exercise and Physical Therapy Step 10: Change Your Work Habits Step 11: Medications Step 12: Other Treatments Key Points MedTest Glossary

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Knowing the types of questions that your doctor may ask can help you feel more prepared. See the list below to get a sense of what information will be important to your doctor. Your answers to these questions will help your doctor figure out next steps -- for example, what treatment is best, what tests to order, if you need to see a physical therapist, if you need to see a specialist. You can make your visit more efficient if you think about your answers before going to the doctor.

Did you have a particular injury or accident?
Have you ever had back pain before?
How long have you had the pain this particular time?
What were you doing just before the pain began? Were you lifting or bending? Sitting at your computer? Driving a long distance?
If you have had episodes of back pain in the past, how often do you tend to get them? How long does each episode usually last?
What does the pain feel like? (For example, is it dull, sharp, throbbing, or burning?)
What makes the pain worse?
What makes the pain feel better?
Is there any particular time of day when the pain feels better or worse?
Do you have any numbness or tingling?
Have you noticed any weakness in your legs?
Have you lost weight recently without trying?
Have you had a fever?
Do you have any urinary symptoms like going to the bathroom more often than usual? Do you have a burning sensation when you urinate?
Have your bowel habits changed?
Has there been a change in your walking or ability to balance?

Review Date: 6/29/2011
Reviewed By: Andrew W. Piasecki, MD, Camden Bone and Joint, LLC, Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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