How do I know if the treatment is helping or if I'm just getting better on my own?

Q: I have been treated for low back pain since my car accident four months ago. I seem to be getting better slowly, but how do I know if the treatment I'm getting is helping or if I'm just getting better on my own?

A: Health care treatments are being carefully evaluated. Doctors, therapists, and other health care workers are being asked to show evidence that the treatment they prescribe for low back pain is effective. This is called evidence-based practice.

There are many ways to look at whether or not treatment works. Sometimes doctors and therapists use a series of questions at the beginning of treatment. This type of survey is repeated during and after treatment as a way to measure treatment success.

Other ways to measure improvement include ranking pain and symptoms. From time to time, the doctor will ask you to choose a number on a scale from zero to 10. Zero means there are no pain or symptoms, and 10 is for the worst possible pain and symptoms. You should be moving closer to zero at this point.

Finally, you can step back and ask yourself, "Am I fully recovered? Improved but not fully recovered? Unchanged or worse?" Four months after your injury, you should be moving from improved to fully recovered. If you aren't moving in this direction, talk with your doctor or therapist. It may be helpful to try some different treatments when symptoms have lasted more than two months.

Thank you for being so professional and genuinely caring!

– J S

I appreciate the thoroughness of this clinic. When I come here I feel my concerns are being heard and treated accordingly..

– B M

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– S M

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– D P

Thanks SO much for all of your help and dedication! Your commitment is so appreciated.

– C L

Thanks a million for helping me. I am gracious for your compassion and extraordinary professionalism.

– M T

My recovery and my confidence in my knee is all thanks to you. I couldn’t have done it without Sport And Spine.

– B S

The team works like a well oiled machine, from start to finish. I’m truly grateful!

– J B
SPORT AND SPINE
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Jim Tsaprailis, PT
1152 London Road
Sarnia, On
519-337-8881
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