Find Out How You Stack Up to the National Average

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1. The correct answer is G, all of the above. If you got this right, you’re in good company. Our national survey showed that most Americans (more than half) understand that an inactive lifestyle is just as likely to cause or contribute to low back pain as injury, age-related conditions and some sports. The surprise for our experts was that almost half (42%) of Americans also understand that the causes of back pain aren’t just physical; stress and worry can take a toll on your back too.
   
   If this information makes it seem like you’re doomed to experience back pain no matter what you do, read on. There’s good news ahead. (We promise!)

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2. The correct answer is C, stay as active as you can without being in too much pain. This might not be what your mother told you, but medical experts have learned a lot since the days when doctors prescribed bed rest for back pain. Americans have clearly caught on to this message, with more than two-thirds of the people we surveyed responding that staying active is the best strategy. Among those with back pain, 71% of them know that their best bet to get back to health is to keep moving.
   
   Our survey also showed that men are more likely than women to think that the best strategy is to carry on and ignore the pain. That’s not what medical experts mean when they advise you to keep moving. If you’re one of those who think pain is just an inconvenience, and that the macho “no pain, no gain” mentality is the best approach, our experts say you’re likely to prolong or provoke the return of your pain. Those stabbing, throbbing or aching sensations are there for a reason. But there are ways to gently work through the pain and restore your body to health. Our experts can tell you how.

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3. Most experts agree, the correct answer is A, regular exercises. For those who got this right, you are among three out of four Americans who are in the know. Although the other strategies listed can also be helpful, our experts say regular exercises have a much better success rate.
   
   If you thought the correct answer was E, learning how to move correctly, you’re not alone. Our survey found that four out of five Americans think this is an effective preventive strategy. Can all those people really be wrong? Our experts say this is one of the most misapplied and misunderstood treatment myths. Medical research shows that, while it is true that some types of movement can strain or aggravate your back, too often people stiffen up and force their bodies to move unnaturally in an effort to be ‘correct.’ They override their natural sense of what is physically comfortable and that can result in injury. Medical experts agree that sometimes the best advice for back pain patients is to do what feels right.

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4. The correct answer is B, false. Despite increased awareness of and desire for non-surgical treatment options, too many people still believe that surgery is often the only real cure for chronic back pain. Our survey found that about one in two people think the answer to this question is A, true. In reality, our experts estimate that just 5% of back pain cases (that’s just one in 20) will be effectively helped by surgery. The good news is that there are many effective non-surgical (also called non-invasive) treatment options. If you’re interested in learning what they are, you’ll need to ask a doctor that specializes in that type of treatment. Keep reading to learn what type of doctor can provide that information.

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5. The correct answer is B, false. Even though back pain is a pervasive medical condition, affecting one in two people (that’s 100 million adults) according to our survey, and four out of five Americans at some point in their lives; still, the prognosis for treatment and recovery is good. There is plenty you can do to restore your aching back to health, and most Americans know that. Our survey found that three out of four people correctly believe that you don’t have to live with back pain, but that still leaves about one in four who feel hopeless about their ability to find an effective remedy for their pain.

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6. Our experts agree that the best answer is B, see a doctor when the pain has persisted for several days. Although most back pain does resolve itself in 6 to 12 weeks, with or without treatment, it is important to recognize that not all back pain is caused by muscle or nerve conditions. Back pain can be an early warning sign for a more serious condition, such as appendicitis, kidney disease or urinary tract infections. Choosing to delay treatment in the hope that the pain will go away could leave you facing pain that is aggravated or complicated by other conditions.

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7. The correct answer is E, a physiatrist. You may never have heard of this type of doctor, but the specialty has a long and respected history. Physiatrists (pronounced fizz ee at’ trists) are doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Also known as PM&R physicians, they treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders and arthritis to spinal cord injuries and long-term disability, seeing patients in all age groups and treating problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body. PM&R physicians specialize in restoring function so that you can do the things you want and need to do.
   
   Although some of the other specialists, such as physical therapists and chiropractors, have special training in non-surgical treatments, they are not medical doctors who have been trained in complicated diagnoses, innovative treatments, and prescribing medication for your pain. And although primary care physicians are medical doctors and can prescribe medications, they do not have a PM&R physician’s extra training in correct diagnosis and specific treatment of back pain.

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