When you first see your doctor, you will be asked questions
about your back pain, including how it started, how often it
occurs, how severe it is, and what makes it better or worse.
Your doctor will try to determine the cause of your back pain
and whether it is likely to quickly get better with simple
measures such as ice, mild painkillers, physical therapy, and
proper exercises. Most of the time, back pain will get better
using these approaches. During the exam, your doctor will try to
pinpoint the location of the pain and figure out how it affects
your movement. You will be asked to: - Sit, stand, and walk.
While walking, your doctor may ask you to try walking on your
toes and then your heels. - Bend forward, backward, and
sideways. - Lift your legs straight up while lying down. If the
pain is worse when you do this, you may have sciatica,
especially if you also feel pain, numbness, or tingling in one
of your legs. Your doctor will also move your legs in different
positions, including bending and straighten