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If you’ve tried one or more of the non-invasive interventions and treatments listed here without relief —including a combined physical and psychological treatment program, you’re probably feeling discouraged, maybe even desperate. So what should you do when nothing... Read More →

Most of the treatments and interventions commonly used to relieve back and back-related leg pain have not been scientifically proven to be effective. But many back pain sufferers report that they have gained significant relief from one or more of these approaches. While some can... Read More →

Bed rest In the past, many doctors told patients with back pain to rest in bed until they felt better. In fact, such advice is now understood to be harmful. Not only is prolonged rest less effective than activity in reducing short-term pain, resting for hours and days at a time... Read More →

Staying active The best way to recover from the most common kinds of back pain, the mechanical sort, is to stay as active as possible, even though it hurts. Studies show that people with a new or recurrent episode of pain who followed this advice had significantly less pain... Read More →

Many treatments have been suggested to relieve back and back-related leg pain and new ones emerge all the time. Because people with back pain are often desperate for relief, they’re willing to try just about anything. While some treatments have been scientifically evaluated and... Read More →

How people experience back and back-related leg pain varies—not only from person to person, but sometimes from episode to episode. Although repeat episodes tend to be similar, they can be quite different and in that case, your treatment may be very different as well. But even... Read More →

A variety of health care professionals—family physicians, physiotherapists and chiropractors—assess and treat people with back and back-related leg pain. In addition to the four steps described here, your care provider should educate you about back pain and how best to manage... Read More →

Many people consult one or more health care provider for advice, education and treatment when they experience back and leg pain. The following professionals can do a complete physical assessment and provide advice, education and treatment. Family physicians These are medical... Read More →

While most people find they can manage their back and related leg pain alone, some situations are better dealt with by involving a health care professional: A first episode of severe, disabling pain lasting over two weeks If you’ve never had this type of pain before and if you... Read More →

If this is your first episode of back or back related leg pain and it has been present for more than a few weeks or if you have a particular reason to be worried about your symptoms such as a known history of osteoporosis, you should check with your health care provider. This... Read More →