Whenever I go to the doctor or a physical therapist for back pain, all the testing they do makes me much worse. Isn't there a quick and easy way they can measure me without so much bending and stretching?

Doctors and therapists are aware of the need for a quick and easy method of assessing back pain patients. So far finding an ideal tool for testing has been difficult.

A recent study from Belgium may be what we're looking for. It's called the Backache Index (BAI). It takes about one to three minutes to conduct. Patients stay in one position (standing). Pain and motion are scored for five simple motions.

Bending forward is one of the movements. Side bending to each side is measured. Then side bending with extension is tested and that's it.

The results of the BAI were compared against the results of four other standard back tests. Researchers conducting the tests found the BAI to be both reliable and accurate. More tests are needed to confirm these results but this may be just what's needed for both patients and examiners.