Your doctor will want to get a history of your condition. This may begin by filling out a written form while you wait to see the doctor. Take time to think about everything that relates to your back pain and write it down. The more information you share with your doctor, the easier your problem will be to diagnose. A physical history can give your doctor insight into when the pain (or condition) began, anything that could have caused an injury, your lifestyle, physical factors that might be causing pain, and any family history of similar problems.
After reading through your written history, your physician will ask more questions that relate to the information you have given. Your doctor may want to know
- if you have had an injury
- where you are feeling pain, how intense it is
- if the pain radiates to other parts of your body
- if and where you are feeing numbness or weakness
- what factors make the pain feel better or worse
- whether you have had this problem or something like it before
- about any recent weight loss, fever, or illness
- if you've had problems with your bladder or bowels
