Working With Your Healthcare Professional

If the pain you are feeling does not go away within a few days, and you continue to experience pain and muscle spasms, going to your healthcare professional is the best option to seek additional relief. There are treatment options you may discuss with your healthcare professional, such as the following^3,4,9:

• Drug therapy, including SKELAXIN^® 800mg (metaxalone) Tablets
• Physical therapy
• Cold and heat applications
• Certain exercises to help you recover from your back pain

If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you may be familiar with the questions and procedures. However, if this is an acute or first-time episode, it's good to know what to expect.

Making the Diagnosis: Your Medical History

Many different conditions can cause back pain. Your healthcare professional will ask a number of questions. This is to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Questions will focus on your medical history and may include the following^4,5:

• What is the nature of your pain?
• When does it feel better or worse?
• What makes the pain worse?
• Do you or your family members have other health problems?
• Is there a history of arthritis in your family?

A Physical Examination

Your healthcare professional will perform a physical examination, which may include the following⁵:

• Watching you stand and walk
• Checking your reflexes, as slowed or heightened reflexes can indicate nerve problems
• Testing muscle strength and sensation
• Checking for signs of fibromyalgia and nerve root irritation

Often your healthcare professional can find the cause of your pain through physical and medical history alone. However, certain tests can help pinpoint the problem.⁵

Medical Tests

Certain tests may help your healthcare professional find the cause of your back pain, such as:

• X-rays—an x-ray can be used to see if a fracture or osteoarthritis is suspected, or if your spine is not aligned properly^4,5
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—an MRI shows pictures of ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels^4,5
• Computed tomography (CT) scan—a CT scan shows spinal structures and problems such as herniated discs, tumors, and spinal stenosis^4,5
• Nerve tests (electromyogram, or EMG)—an EMG monitors electrical activity and is used in cases of chronic pain to predict nerve root damage⁴
• Blood tests—blood tests are not used to diagnose the cause of back pain but can help pinpoint problems such as infection and inflammation⁵

Talking to Your Healthcare Professional

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When you visit your healthcare professional, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You want to know as much as possible. This can help you reduce your pain now. You also want to know how to keep the pain from coming back. It is important to know the cause of your pain. Ask about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce pain. Here are a few sample questions¹⁰

• What is causing my pain?
• What can I do to keep my pain from getting worse?
• Why is my [____] prone to pain and injury?
• What changes in lifestyle should I make to keep my back healthy?
• How do I know if my work is negatively affecting my back?
• Are there medications that may help?