The exam will probably begin with a medical history during which the doctor will ask about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and about how the pain affects your daily life. This will help the doctor assess the contribution stress and lifestyle factors make to your pain. If this is your first visit, the doctor will also ask about your other medical conditions and about any surgeries you have had.

The doctor will examine your neck and/or back and will check your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift your arms or legs. He/she will also assess sensation (what you feel and how you feel it) and the strength of the reflexes in various parts of your body. This will help determine where the pain originates from (which is not always the same place where you feel the pain), what degree of pain-free motion you have, and whether you have muscle spasms. It will also help rule out a more serious underlying condition as the cause of the pain.

After the clinical examination and the diagnostic studies, the doctor may determine the best way to treat your pain or may refer you to a specialist (such as an orthopedist or neurologist), a physical therapist, or a chiropractor for further evaluation and treatment.

If you do not understand what is being explained to you, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. It is important for you to understand your back pain so you will be better able to make informed choices and to cope with your pain.