Published on: 7/4/2025
How is chronic lower back pain diagnosed and treated?
Chronic lower back pain is diagnosed through a physical exam and medical history, and treated with lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes physical therapy or surgery.
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Explanation
Chronic lower back pain is a common issue that is diagnosed by doctors through a combination of taking your medical history and doing a physical exam. They look for how long you have had the pain, what makes it better or worse, and any other symptoms you might have.
Diagnosis:
- Medical History: Doctors ask about your pain, how long it has lasted, and what activities might affect it.
- Physical Exam: This involves checking your back's movement and any pain during certain motions.
Treatment:
- Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise and keeping a healthy weight can help.
- Medications: Pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs might be used.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the back and improve flexibility.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery might be needed if other treatments do not work.
Each person is different, so treatment is tailored to what works best for them. Always talk to a healthcare provider to find the best plan for your situation.
(References)
- Farley T, Stokke J, Goyal K, & DeMicco R. (2024). Chronic Low Back Pain: History, Symptoms .... Life (Basel, Switzerland), 39063567.
- Maharty DC, Hines SC, & Brown RB. (2024). Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Evaluation and .... American family physician, 38574213.
- Nicol V, Verdaguer C, Daste C, Bisseriex H, Lapeyre É, Lefèvre-Colau MM, et al. (2023). Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review of Recent .... Journal of clinical medicine, 36836220.
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