Randy Shelerud, M.D., Mayo Clinic specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation

I think the best way to counsel patients on chronic low back pain is to first listen to the patient. I need to understand what their previous experiences with their back pain have been, what their expectations are, what they have been told about what is wrong either from the medical profession or from friends and family. And after I understand their view of the back pain, I think a more intelligent discussion can follow. Now our main goal in counseling is to make sure that the patient understands that they need to take responsibility for their own self-care management as much as is realistic. Beyond that, they need to maximize their fitness and function and they need to be tuned into their body in order to modify their daily activities in order to prevent flares.

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