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Orthogate
1089 Spadina Road
Toronto, AL M5N 2M7
Ph: 416-483-2654
Fax: 416-483-2654
christian@orthogate.com






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I've been having some trouble with back pain that's affecting my work. We do have a company (occupational) doctor. I'm wondering if I should just go see my regular doctor who knows me better. Do you think it matters?

From all the studies comparing workers who see private versus occupational specialists, it looks like how you are treated is more important than who treats you. To be a little more specific, we now know some specific treatment methods that work well to restore workers to health without back pain.

What are the secret methods? First, stay active. Allow only one or two days of rest and inactivity for back pain. After that, keep moving.

It's natural to feel anxious and fearful when you are in pain. Back pain sufferers seem especially prone to fear-avoidance behaviors. This means they let the back pain dictate what they do and how they move. If it hurts when they move in a particular direction, then they stop moving that way. In a short amount of time, the loss of fluid motion sets up an even greater pain-spasm cycle.

Second, the physician should offer reassurance that recovery is possible and very likely if you follow the right steps. Your doctor should explain the likely cause of your back pain and what you can expect. The natural history of back pain is that 80 per cent of affected people get better in a couple weeks.

Workers are encouraged to stay active and remain on the job. Workplace modifications may be needed in some cases. Modified duties may help you to return to full duties faster than if you have to cover the entire workload while in pain.

Studies of patients who follow this model get better. This was true for those who saw the occupational specialist and for those who pursued private medical care. In fact, the results were equally favorable for a third group -- those who saw the occupational specialist and then went to their own doctors as well.


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