Personal Considerations - Treatment Choices And Considerations: Back Pain

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Personal considerations

Just as there is no single cause of back pain, so too there is no "one size fits all" solution. Once you've answered the medical questions and narrowed your treatment choices, your final choice about how best to proceed will depend on your personal situation and preferences.

For example, your back pain may have been caused by something physical, such as an injury or a fall. It may be the result of your lifestyle. You may be sedentary at work and play, and over time your body has become deconditioned. Or perhaps you are having a hard time at work: Low pay and job dissatisfaction influence back problems. And then there's your genes — you may have a family predisposition to develop certain back problems. Some of these things you can do something about; others you can't.

In all of these situations, you may opt for pain relief as a first step, but your long-term strategy will depend on what triggered the back pain in the first place. If the problem was caused by an injury, for example, you may work with a physical therapist to find ways to avoid a similar injury in the future. If you are out of shape, you may start a regular walking routine to improve your overall physical condition. If stress at work has caused your back problem, it may be time to find ways to reduce your stress level or find a job that is more satisfying.

The point is this: Since many factors can influence the onset of back pain, treatment also comes in several shapes and sizes. Often the best outcome is achieved with a combination, rather than a single treatment approach.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007