| Do you have back pain? Don't despair. Whether it is | | | | important to educate yourself about all the possible |
| sudden or creeps up on you gradually back pain and | | | | physical solutions which may be discussed with you. |
| sciatica can be one of the most distressing, painful | | | | Get as much back pain information as you can find. |
| and isolating events. I understand. It can affect all | | | | For many of us a combination of solutions works |
| areas of your life, is often difficult to explain and is | | | | most effectively. You need to have your physical |
| invisible to most people around you. If you have back | | | | condition effectively evaluated then listen to your |
| pain and feel miserable, misunderstood and isolated | | | | body to see which suits you. Try to get to the root |
| you are not alone… | | | | cause of your issues and tackle that along with the |
| Through my experiences with back pain and sciatica I | | | | symptoms. |
| learnt by hard lessons a few ways to negotiate | | | | • It is also vital when coping with back pain |
| through the mental, emotional and physical maze of | | | | to nurture and protect your spirit and inner core as |
| back pain which I would love to share with you. | | | | that will make all the difference in keeping you |
| • Consult a healthcare professional over any | | | | inspired, motivated and positive. Your mind is very |
| back pain symptoms that bother you. Don't suffer in | | | | powerful and you can use this to your advantage |
| silence. Tackle any issues when they happen and | | | | when coping with back pain. Read inspiring books, |
| while they are minor. | | | | listen to motivational CDs, watch great films, enjoy |
| • No one cares about your back like you do | | | | your music, spend time with family and friends, |
| and always remember YOU are in control. Whatever | | | | walking on the beach, stroking your dog, |
| you read, whoever tells you what to do, whatever | | | | meditating…whatever makes you feel happy, |
| remedies or treatments and procedures are | | | | healthy, uplifted and content. |
| suggested to you, you are the one who will live with | | | | • We all have stress in our lives, and being in |
| your back. Ask good questions about what the | | | | pain can make stress so much worse and so a |
| treatment involves, how many treatments you will | | | | vicious cycle begins. If stress affects you consider |
| require, any side effects and the success rate for | | | | one of the many stress reduction CDs around to help |
| your condition. If back surgery is suggested make | | | | you control the negative stress. |
| sure you understand fully what any surgical | | | | • It may be the case with back pain that |
| procedures entail and the aftercare required. Ask | | | | life seems limited and usual activities are out of |
| about all the possible back pain treatment options for | | | | bounds. Think about or even better write down what |
| your condition before you decide what to do. Ask | | | | you CAN do and do those things. Do not dwell on |
| about back surgery success rates for your condition. | | | | what you cannot do. Be grateful for everything that |
| Check with your healthcare provider if any medical or | | | | is good in your life. Focusing on the negative and |
| surgical procedure is urgent or essential. It is really | | | | what you cannot do makes it worse. Focus on the |
| about communication and working together with your | | | | positive and what you can do. |
| healthcare team. Don't be a passive patient, be a | | | | • For everyday chores that you find difficult |
| proactive partner in your back care and treatment. | | | | think if there is another way to do them. Consider |
| • Keep pursuing your solution. If one back | | | | internet shopping, delegate tasks; swap the usual |
| pain treatment doesn't work, try another. If you try | | | | tasks around the family. Move where items you need |
| new products check out the refund policy. If you are | | | | regularly are kept so you can be independent in |
| having back pain treatments don't sign up for long | | | | getting them. Do a little then take a break, go easy |
| contracts unless you know it works for you. It is | | | | on yourself. If you can, consider buying in some short |
| essential to keep track of what is working and what | | | | term help. |
| is not working for you. Ask questions of the | | | | • If you have back pain it can also be hard |
| professionals and make sure you know how any | | | | on those who love you. Try to spend a little calm |
| planned treatments are intended to help you. Most | | | | time discussing how you will handle this together and |
| treatments take a while to work and may require | | | | how you can make it easier for yourselves to handle. |
| time and commitment. It is important to listen to | | | | Communication and understanding is the key here. |
| your body, and let that be your guide. | | | | • YOU are so much more than your "bad |
| • Never ever give up searching for what | | | | back." Always remember that. |
| works for you. | | | | Back pain is a tough call. You are stronger than you |
| • When seeking back pain relief it is | | | | think …and you are not alone. |